Tuesday, 18. June 2013

 

Topshelf Open

's-Hertogenbosch The Netherlands, 16.06. – 22.06.2013 / International Grass

KAIA KANEPI — ROBERTA VINCI / 11. ITA /

3:6 | 3:6

Kaia lost

Kaia lost in 1 hour and 10 minues.

Kaia's own words: "Vinci's game was uncomfortable for me, this is how she usually plays. I played in my average level today. It is a bit different to play on grass as the ball bounces a bit lower and spin shots also bounce differently than in other surfaces. I had my chances but the results was as it was.

We will stay here for couple of more days and practice. We'll travel to London probably on Friday"

Next tournament will be Wimbledon starting in the 24th of June.

 

Friday, 14. June 2013

 

's-Hertogenbosch: Kaia to play Roberta Vinci in the first round

The main draw of the WTA international level event in 's-Hertogenbosch was made today. Kaia will have to meed the first seed Roberta Vinci (ITA, WTA11) in the first round. It will be the first match on grass court for both players.

Vinci leads 2:1 in the head-to-head but Kaia won their last meeting in Estoril in 2012.

The match is not scheduled for Monday. Probably it will be held on Tuesday.

Main draw Head-to-head

 

Friday, 31. May 2013

 

Roland Garros

Paris France, 26.05. – 08.06.2013 / GS clay

KAIA KANEPI — STEFANIE VOEGELE / 56. SUI /

6:7(6) | 6:3 | 6:8

Kaia lost

Kaia lost a very tight match.

Kaia's own words: "It was very competitive since the first set. She played very well. She did not give anything to ma easily, I had to work hard for my points. The deciding moment was in the third set when I was leading 4:1 and she managed to even the match. I did not play well my two service games but she did serve and play we in her games. I did play courageously in deciding moments but missed my shots by that much. She in the other hand was successful with her shots and there was nothing I could do.

Next up will be grass tournaments. First of them in Holland within 2 weeks and then Wimbledon."

 

Thursday, 30. May 2013

 

Roland Garros: Kaia's match with Voegele will be finished tomorrow

Due to rain in Paris Kaiaäs match against Stefanie Voegele (SUI, WTA 56) will continue on Friday as the second match at court number 3. First match starts at 11 local time / 12 Estonian time. Kaia leads in the first set 6:5.

 

Wednesday, 29. May 2013

 

Roland Garros

Paris France, 26.05. – 08.06.2013 / GS clay

KAIA KANEPI — KLARA ZAKOPALOVA / 23. CZE /

7:6(3) | 6:2

Kaia won

Kaia won her first round match at Roland Garros beating Klara Zakopalova. The match lasted 1 hour 22 minutes. Kaia was leading in the first set 5:1 but Zakopalova managed to level the set.

Kaia's own words: "I played well in the beginning of the match. Then I did not play that well and my opponent started to play better. I had my chances earlier in the first set but did not take them. I was not nervous when I had lost my lead. When the score was 5:5 I thought that I will not give her anything, if she wants to take points then she have to work for them herself.

In the second set it felt that she was upset and was sort of giving up. At 5:0 down, she started to attack everything "blindfolded" and succeeded to come back to 5:2. Luckily I then served well and won.

The things are not often turning out perfectly in the match, you have to manage and come out from different situations and today I did."

Kaia wil play Stefanie Voegele (SUI, WTA 56) in the second round. The match will be held tomorrow as the third match of the day. Play starts at 11 local time / 12 Estonian time.

 

Tuesday, 28. May 2013

 

Roland Garros: Kaia will play tomorrow

Due to bad weather conditions in Paris, Kaia's first round match was postponed till tomorrow.

 

Saturday, 25. May 2013

© Sergei Sinitsyn © Sergei Sinitsyn © Sergei Sinitsyn © Reuters/Scanpix
 

Brussels Open

Brussels Belgium, 20.05. – 25.05.2013 / Premier clay

KAIA KANEPI — SHUAI PENG / 34. CHN /

6:2 | 7:5

Kaia won

Kaia won the tournament! This is the 4th WTA title for Kaia.

Kaia's own words: "Today went very well, I feel great at the moment.

The first match today was very tricky. She was very uncomfortable opponent. She hits slices, attacks well, serves well, comes to the net and hits many surprising shots. She is very versatile player. It was good that I played well. In general it was very tight match but I was more solid during deciding moments and that mattered today. We played at the first court, not on centre court, and it did not feel like a semifinal match because of that.

During the final I did not feel like it was my second match of the day. I was more excited and it game me more energy as well. I played great tennis in the first set and up to the matchpoints in the second set. I froze a little, started thinking and become a bit nervous. I remembered that I have had difficult situations before on match points. I was playing in the final after quite some time and I could not handle it very well. But I kept playing and tried to compete with my opponent and myself. When I had lost my lead I calmed down a bit. I do not know if my opponent started to play better herself in the end of the second set, I had so much trouble with myself. I played more coureagously in the final games and managed to win the match.

There were many Estonians in the crowd today and the spectators were cheering for me maybe a bit more because of that. I felt the support form the crowd.

I will travel to Paris tomorrow and my first round match will be on Monday or Tuesday. We'll see how it will go, it depends a lot how my game turns out"

Next tournament will be French Open where Kaia reached to the quarterfinals last year. Kaia will meet Klara Zakopalova (CZE, WTA 23) in the first round. The main draw matches start tomorrow but Kaia's match will probably be on Monday or Tuesday.

 

Friday, 24. May 2013

© Sergei Sinitsyn
 

Brussels Open

Brussels Belgium, 20.05. – 25.05.2013 / Premier clay

KAIA KANEPI — JAMIE HAMPTON / 68. USA /

7:6(6) | 6:4

Kaia won

Kaia won and reached to the final whre she will meet Shuai Peng (CHN, WTA34). Kaia and Shuai have not met before in the professional tournaments. The final will be played today starting 16:30 local time / 17:30 Estonian time.

 

Thursday, 23. May 2013

© Sergei Sinitsyn
 

Brussels Open

Brussels Belgium, 20.05. – 25.05.2013 / Premier clay

KAIA KANEPI — VARVARA LEPCHENKO / 29. USA /

6:3 | 4:6 | 7:6(4)

Kaia won a very tough match, which was interrupted by the rain couple of times.

Kaia's own words: "It was very cold today, under 10 degrees I guess. It was difficult to play and find the rhythm. First two sets were up and down from both of us. I played a bit better in the end of the first set and I managed to win it. In the third set we both played a lot better. The conditions were better as well, there was no wind, it was warmer and did not rain. Tie break in the deciding set is always a bit of a lottery. When it gets that far then it must be very equal match. I tried to be more courageous and it worked out.

I have never had such a long match before. After the first rain break it was difficult to come back, my hands were so cold I could not feel them. The whole tournament has been very tricky with cold and rainy conditions."

Kaia's intrview

Kaia will meet Jaimie Hampton (USA, WTA 68) in the semifinal match tomorrow.

The main draw for the French Open was made today and Kaia will meet Klara Zakopalova in the first round. Kaia leads theri head-to-head 2:0. Last meeting was in 2010 at Wimbledon. Head-to-head

French Open main draw

 

Wednesday, 22. May 2013

© Sergei Sinitsyn
 

Brussels Open

Brussels Belgium, 20.05. – 25.05.2013 / Premier clay

KAIA KANEPI — JANA CEPELOVA / 75. SVK /

6:3 | 6:3

Kaia won

Kaia won both matches today and reached to the quarterfinal.

Kaia's own words: "It was difficult today. I have never played a match so early in the morning. It did not feel like going to the competition this morning. When I started the match against Cibulkova I was able to start off very well. It was very competitive and tricky. I played aggressively and mostly it went well, my game was on today. It was very tense in the end but I was more lucky, played aggressively and won.

With Cepelova I played well in the first set, I managed to keep my focus on the match. In the second set I felt quite tired and it was more difficult to concentrate on the game. I tired to keep myself fresh for the points and in overall it was ok match. It is very tricky to play two matches a day with such a short break in between.

If there will be rain tomorrow the matches will probably be held indoors."

Kaia will meet Varvara Lepchenkoga (USA, WTA 29) on Friday at 11 local time / 12 Estonian time.

 

Tuesday, 21. May 2013

© Sergei Sinitsyn
 

Brussels Open

Brussels Belgium, 20.05. – 25.05.2013 / Premier clay

KAIA KANEPI — DOMINIKA CIBULKOVA / 16. SVK /

6:4 | 7:6(6)

Kaia won

 

Saturday, 18. May 2013

 

Brussels: Kaia to play Cibulkova in the first round

Kaia will meet Dominika Cibulkova (SVK, WTA 16) in the first round match of Brussels Open. Kaia and Dominika have played three times before and Kaia is leading their head to head 2:1. All their previous matches have gone to the deciding set. Brussels Open starts on Monday, 20th of May. Kaia will play her opener on Tuesday.

Previous matches

Main draw

 

Friday, 10. May 2013

© Reuters/Scanpix
 

Mutua Madrid Open

Madrid Spain, 05.05. – 13.05.2013 / Premier Clay

KAIA KANEPI — MARIA SHARAPOVA / 2. RUS /

2:6 | 4:6

Kaia lost

Kaia lost in the quarterfinals to Maria Sharapova

Kaia's own words: "She played quite well today. I had to stay in every point myself and it was difficult to be aggressive. She is better at the moment because when playing with such fast pace I need to play better than I normally play. With other players the pace is not that fast.

Now I have a short recovery and training period and the next tournament will be in Brussels starting on May 20th.

Kaia earned 250 points from Madrid Open and will be raising approximatelly to the 40th position in the WTA rankings on Monday.

 

Thursday, 09. May 2013

 

Mutua Madrid Open

Madrid Spain, 05.05. – 13.05.2013 / Premier Clay

KAIA KANEPI — DANIELA HANTUCHOVA / 71. SVK /

6:3 | 6:4

Kaia won

Kaia won and reached to the quarterfinals.

Kaia's own words: "It was intense match today. In the beginning we both were feeling out the game. The court was a bit more slippery compared to other courts – it was different to play there. I started to play better in the middle of the first set and felt more and more solid.

In the beginning of the second set my hip flexor muscle starter to hurt and I called for the trainer. I did not move at all when I felt the pain, I lost the desire to play, I was bothered that I could not give my maximum. The trainer put a very strong tape on the muscle so it was weird to walk, but it helped.

She froze when we started to play after my medical time out. Then she took medical herself, she went off court as well. I did not take it seriously, I hit serve and kept myself warm. The timeout did not bother me. I am very happy that I managed to play till the end and win it.

I have had many matches not in a short period of time. As I did not play for six month my body needs to adjust to the pressure.

According to the current plans I will play tomorrow."

Kaia will meet Maria Sharapova (RUS, WTA2) in tomorrow's quarterfinal match. The match will be at centre court as the second match of the day. First match starts at 10:50 local time /11:50 Estonian time.

 

Wednesday, 08. May 2013

© kaiakanepi.com
 

Mutua Madrid Open

Madrid Spain, 05.05. – 13.05.2013 / Premier Clay

KAIA KANEPI — CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO / 23. ESP /

6:3 | 6:1

Kaia won

Kaia reached to the third round.

Kaia's own words:"It was a good match today. I had a little big arena fright in the beginning :). I actually like to play at bigger arenas. When I got over it I played aggressively and did not want to let her to build her game. Compared to Portugal Open, the balls fly here a bit faster and bounce a bit higher. This was an advantage for me. I played well today."

Kaia will meet Petra Kvitova (CZE, WTA 8) or Daniela Hantuchova (SVK, WTA 71) in the next round.

In the picture: Kaia with her fitness coach Kristjan Prüüs at the centre court today morning

 

Sunday, 05. May 2013

 

Mutua Madrid Open

Madrid Spain, 05.05. – 13.05.2013 / Premier Clay

KAIA KANEPI — FLAVIA PENNETTA / 107. ITA /

6:3 | 6:7(6) | 6:2

Kaia won

Kaia won and reached to the second round for the first time in this tournament.

Kaia’s own words: „It was quite nervous match with many ups and downs. I wanted to win very badly as I had never won a single match here before. I started slowly in the first set, I was searching for my game. She played well in the first two sets. She did not give me easy points, I had to fight for every point myself. The rallies were long and I had to dictate the pace. In the third set I was calmer and played more successfully.

In the next round I would like to play more against Stosur, as she is a top 10 player and I have not played against such a high ranked player for a long time. But it does not matter who the opponent will be, either way it will be very difficult match.“

Next up will be Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP, WTA 23), who beat Sam Stosur (AUS, WTA 9). Kaia's next match will be on Wednesday.

 

Friday, 03. May 2013

 

Portugal Open

Oeiras Portugal, 30.04. – 04.05.2013 / International Clay

KAIA KANEPI — CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO / 23. ESP /

4:6 | 1:6

Kaia lost

Kaia lost today and could not defend her title this time.

Kaia’s own words: „It was not a good day for me. I tried to figure out how to play but felt that I just did not have any weapons today. I did not have much energy and so it went. She played very well, very successfully and there was nothing for me to do today. Now I can recover a little and prepare for the tournament in Madrid. The main draw matches will start already tomorrow and i will most probably play on Sunday."

Next tournament will be Madrid Open. Kaia will play against Flavia Pennetta (ITA, WTA 107) in the first round. main draw

The match will be helt on Sunday at court nr 7 as the second match of the day. First match starts at 11 local time / 12 Estonian time.

 

Thursday, 02. May 2013

 

Portugal Open

Oeiras Portugal, 30.04. – 04.05.2013 / International Clay

KAIA KANEPI — AYUMI MORITA / 43. JPN /

6:4 | 6:3

Kaia won

Kaia won and reached to the semi final of Portugal Open.

Kaia’s own words: “I am satisfied with match in general. I was a bit too defensive in the beginning, she got the opportunity to attack. I had to hit lots slices and could not hit my normal shots. Then in the middle of the first set I tried to become more aggressive myself. It seems like it takes me some time to get used to playing aggressively right from the start. I’m a bit shy in the beginning. My opponent played very well, although she is quite short, she attacked higher balls well.

We will see how it goes tomorrow. I know that Navarro is a great player. We will try to think of something to make her life a bit more difficult.

I have not had many slumps during the matches in this tournament so far. I have not made bunch of errors in a row. My game has been a bit more consistent here than in pervious tournaments.”

Kaia will meet Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP, WTA 23) in the semis. They met last time in the final of Estoril Open last year and Kaia won in a very close match. Previous matches The match will start tomorrow at 12:25 local time /14:24 Estonian time.

 

Wednesday, 01. May 2013

 

Portugal Open

Oeiras Portugal, 30.04. – 04.05.2013 / International Clay

KAIA KANEPI — SORANA CIRSTEA / 26. ROU /

6:1 | 6:2

Kaia won

Kaia won the 5th seed and reached to the quarterfinals.

Kaia's own words: “I played well, I had great feel for the ball today. I felt strong and it was great to play. I was more aggressive today. As she usually attacks every ball, I did not want my shots to be short. I tried to move her around and play courageously. Everything worked out great today. She did make quite many errors, but you can never count on your opponent’s mistakes. You never know when she starts making the shots. I had to be aggressive till the end.

I do not know much about my possible next round’s opponents. I have not played against neither of them.”

Kaia will meet Ayumi Morita (JPN, WTA 43) or Urszula Radwanska (POL, WTA 32) tomorrow.

The match has just ended and Kaia's opponent tomorrow will be Ayumi Morita.

 

Tuesday, 30. April 2013

 

Portugal Open

Oeiras Portugal, 30.04. – 04.05.2013 / International Clay

KAIA KANEPI — KRISTINA MLADENOVIC / 51. FRA /

6:4 | 6:3

Kaia won

Kaia won in 1 hour and 24 minutes and reached to the second round.

Kaia’s own words "I played well today, I was aggressive and felt great. Now and then it was quite competitive. She served well, was aggressive. I do not know exactly what become decisive. I was more consistent, maybe that decided.

The conditions were good, there was not much wind today, and the balls were bouncing as I'm used to. In Marrakech we played with balls that flew off the racquet quite easily and bounced very high. Sometimes the misses were 10 meters from the line. The others had similar troubles :) Today I played confidently and I was not afraid to loose control over the ball. It was good match; I do not know what to add.

Tomorrow is a new match. I have not played against Sorana lately. She hits hard but I do not know exactly how well she currently plays."

Kaia will meet Sorana Cirstea (ROU, WTA 26) in the second round match tomorrow. Cirstea is leading their head-to-head by 3:2. Kaia lost their last meeting in the decider in March 2010. head-to-head