Tuesday, 02. July 2013

© Sergei Sinitsyn
 

The Championships, Wimbledon

Wimbledon GBR, 24.06. – 06.07.2013 / GS Grass

KAIA KANEPI — SABINE LISICKI / 24. GER /

3:6 | 3:6

Kaia lost

Kaia lost today in straight sets 3:6, 3:6.

Kaia's own words: "I think that I did not play as well as I did in previous three matches. Just when I wanted to be more aggressive, I made more mistakes. She returned my serve very well and I did not get points on my own serve as easily as I did in previous matches. Lisicki was just better today. In some other day we could have tighter matches or I could even win. It was as it was today.

Although the last match was more-less an average match from my side, I am very-very satisfied with the whole tournament. Now I will return home, rest a little and prepare myself for the US tour. The first tournament will be in the end of July in Washington."

 

Monday, 01. July 2013

 

The Championships, Wimbledon

Wimbledon GBR, 24.06. – 06.07.2013 / GS Grass

KAIA KANEPI — LAURA ROBSON / 38. GBR /

7:6(6) | 7:5

Kaia won

Kaia won and will play the second time in Wimbledon quarterfinals.

Kaia's own words: "It was very tight match today. It turned out that court number 1 is much faster than other courts I have played here. It was a lot faster. It was a surprise for me when we startet to hit. They did not allow to practice at that court as well.

As it was very tight, the deciding moments were in the ends of the sets. When i was down in the first set tie break I was trying to keep playing and not to think about the scoreline. I managed to play well at important moments. In the end of the second set I played well. Matchpoints were a bit nervous, she played well on two of them, two of them I messed up myself and I managed to win the fifth.

Tomorrow my match will be at the same court and at the same time as today. She has to play very well to beat Serena. She has good serve and return, we'll see tomorrow who is stronger."

Kaia will meet Sabine Lisicki (GER, WTA 24) in the quarterfinal match tomorrow. Lisicki beat the defending champion Serana Williams (USA, WTA 1) today. Kaia has not played against Lisicki before, in Peking 2011 Kaia received a walkover from her. The match will be played tomorrow at court number 1 starting at 13 local time / 15 Estonian time.

 

Saturday, 29. June 2013

© APF/SCANPIX
 

The Championships, Wimbledon

Wimbledon GBR, 24.06. – 06.07.2013 / GS Grass

KAIA KANEPI — ALISON RISKE / 126. USA /

6:2 | 6:3

Kaia won

Kaia won and reached to the fourth round.

Kaia's own words: "I felt that I was more aggressive today. When I was playing with faster pace, I sensed that I was better than her. I tried to play as aggressive as I could and stay low, as you supposed to do on grass. I just played tennis and it come out as it did. In the beginning of the second set I cooled down a little but it was just for couple of games, then I got myself going again.

I think that I will play my next match on bigger arena. I actually like to play more on bigger arenas, then there is the right tennis feeling and you feel like you are competing and lots of spectators are watching. It will be interesting."

Next up will be Laura Robson (GBR, WTA 38) and the match will be played on Monday at court number 1 starting at 13:00 local time / 15:00 Estonian time.

 

Friday, 28. June 2013

© AP/SCANPIX
 

The Championships, Wimbledon

Wimbledon GBR, 24.06. – 06.07.2013 / GS Grass

KAIA KANEPI — ANGELIQUE KERBER / 7. GER /

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

Kaia won

Kaia won and reached to the third round.

Kaia's own words: "I played well in the beginning, I did not make any mistakes and she made quite many errors herself. Then the situation changed a bit, she started to hit a winner after winner. At one point I also did not manage the returns well. The lefty serve with spin on the grass is very difficult to return. Then I started to return a bit more further back and it worked out better.

In the second set tie break I tried to pay aggressively but made some errors and was 1:5 behind. I thought that I must keep playing. In the deciding set I tired to continue with my game plan - I played aggressively and hit heavily.

The longer I was on court the more confident I felt. I felt very comfortable with my groundstrokes, I found a good rhythm playing my game on grass today."

Next up is Alison Riske (USA, WTA 126) who won her first round match against Romina Oprandi (SUI, WTA 34) and second round match against Urszula Radwanska (POL, WTA 44). Kaia has not played against Riske before. The match will most probably be played tomorrow.

 

Tuesday, 25. June 2013

 

The Championships, Wimbledon

Wimbledon GBR, 24.06. – 06.07.2013 / GS Grass

KAIA KANEPI — TARA MOORE / 198. GBR /

7:5 | 5:7 | 7:5

Kaia won

Kaia won a very tough match and will play in the second round.

Kaia's own words: It was very difficult today for me. I do not feel very confident on the grass at the moment, but I will try to play better.

My opponent played very well today, she hit very uncomfortably for me. She attacked a lot with her forehand and hit slices with her backhand, which were difficult for me to attack. It occasionally feels like a lottery on the grass, the one who is more aggressive and succeeds with her shots will win. There is no plan B at grass.

With Kerber I will not be favourite of the match, I will not have that pressure. She hits flat and low, there will be big pressure on my legs as I need to bend my knees a lot."

Kaia will meet Angelique Kerber (WTA 7, GER) in the second round. Kaia is leading their head-to-head 1:0, but the match was played in 2009.

The second round match will most probably be played on Thursday.

 

Sunday, 23. June 2013

 

Wimbledon: Kaia to meet Tara Moore in the first round

Kaia will meet a local wild card Tara Moore (GBR, WTA 198) in the first round. This will be their first match against each other. The match will most probably be held on Tuesday.

Main draw Live score

 

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

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.