MEMPHIS, TN, USA - Before playing the second WTA final of her young career at the Memphis International two weekends ago, Marina Erakovic - an avid guitar player, took time out for a special visit to the Gibson Guitar Factory.

Courtesy of the tournament, Erakovic visited the famous guitar factory the morning of that final, sampling the merchandise and posing for photos as well.

"It was a really cool experience - I play the guitar myself, so it was really interesting to see how they're made," the New Zealander said. "We went through the factory. It's such a long process to make one guitar, so it was really an eye opener for me personally. I also got to try out some of the guitars in the shop. It was just a real fun morning - I enjoyed the experience a lot."

Erakovic may not have made a purchase that day, but she didn't come away empty handed. "I was thinking of getting a guitar but at the moment it's a little pricy, and I think I have to do a little bit more research to really commit to one. But the people at Gibson were really nice - they gave me some free t-shirts and guitar picks, so it was a fun time. The people there made it great for us."

Erakovic, who celebrates her 24th birthday on Tuesday, is one of New Zealand's best ever players, only the second one ever to crack the Top 50 (she is now ranked a career-high No.45 - Belinda Cordwell was the first). She would finish runner-up to Sofia Arvidsson in that Memphis final; her first final came at Québec City last September, where she lost to Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.

Erakovic plays No.53-ranked Galina Voskoboeva in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open. Erakovic won their only previous meeting, back in 2007.