Monday, 30. December 2013

 

Brisbane International

Brisbane AUS, 29.12. – 04.01.2014 / Premier

KAIA KANEPI — ALEXANDRA PANOVA / 135. RUS /

6:3 | 6(8):7 | 6:2

Kaia won

Kaia won in two hours 6:3/6:7/6:2.

Kaia’s own words: “The draw in the first round was interesting as two years ago I played against Panova in the opening round and won in the third set. The match today was okay, considering it was quite long time since my last match. The court here is fast and there were not many long points. The serve was working well, except fore these two games in the second set when I was a break up. I got a little nervous as I sometimes do when ahead. In the decider I was more solid.”

Next up will be Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP, WTA 17). Kaia is leading their head-to-head 3:2. The match will be played tomorrow at 19 local time/ 11 Estonian time.

 

Sunday, 29. December 2013

 

Brisbane: Kaia will meet Panova in the opening round

Kaia's opponent in the opening round of Brisbane International is Alexandra Panova (WTA 135, RUS). The match will be played on Monday at 3 am Estonian time / 11 am local time. Kaia and Panova have met twice before and Kaia is leading their head-to-head 2:0.

 

Saturday, 28. December 2013

 

Brisbane: Kaia will meet qualifier in the first round

The first tournament of WTA 2014 season will start tomorrow. Brisbane International is a Premier level tournament with prize money $1,000,000. The first seed of the tournament is the current WTA number 1 Serena Williams (USA). Victoria Azarenka (WTA 2, BLR) and Maria Sharapova (WTA 4, RUS) are also participating.

The main draw was made today and Kaia's first round opponent is a qualifier. The last round of qualifying tournament will be played tomorrow and Kaia's opponent will be announced after that.

Useful links to tennis fans are:

Main draw

Official website

Live score

Live stream

 

Tuesday, 24. December 2013

© Reuters/Scanpix © Sergei Sinitsyn © Sergei Sinitsyn © Lembit Peegel
 

Kaia sums up the 2013 season

Kaia will start the new season in Brisbane where the Premier level WTA tournament will begin on the December 29th. After that Premier tournament in Sydney and Australian Open in Melbourne later in January will be in her schedule.

Before flying to Australia, Kaia was reflecting back on the 2013 season in her own words: “This year I had to surpass myself more than the in previous season and it taught me a lot. In the beginning of the season I was recovering form the surgery and it reminded me how important it is to stay healthy. Not only for the professional sport. It certainly affected my motivation. For me the word “motivation” is related to the word “enjoyment”. When I am able to enjoy what I do and can do on court, the desire to fight and win will follow.

This year I got some very good wins and also losses I learnt a lot from. I won Brussels WTA tournament and reached to the quarterfinals in Wimbledon.

To the ones who worry, if and how long I will continue playing tennis, I can tell that I love tennis very much. I know now, that the best way to play tennis it is when you feel free from inside. When you have no pressure and high expectations. My preparation for the new season went really well. I am healthy and enthusiastic to compete in Australia.

I thank my team members, parents, sponsor and everyone who is cheering for me. Happy Holidays and exciting New Year to you all!”

Kaia finished in the 30th position in the WTA 2013 singles ranking. Her results from the 2013 season are here

 

Wednesday, 11. December 2013

© Lembit Peegel
 

Kaia participated in Estonian Tennis book presentation

The book about Estonian tennis history “Estonian Tennis 100” was introduced at Tere Tennis centre on Wednesday. The book contains information about events and persons related to Estonian tennis during past 100 years. The authors are Ants Põldmäe, Jaak Ulman, Jaan Jürine ja Maaria Värv. As the cover star of the new book, Kaia was giving a short speech and signing autographs.

 

Thursday, 21. November 2013

 

Soho Square EGY Ladies Tournament

Sharm El Sheikh Egypt, 14.11. – 24.11.2013 / ITF 75 000+H Clay

KAIA KANEPI — JOVANA JAKSIC / 165. SRB /

6:3 | 4:6 | 3:6

Kaia lost

 

Wednesday, 20. November 2013

 

Soho Square EGY Ladies Tournament

Sharm El Sheikh Egypt, 14.11. – 24.11.2013 / ITF 75 000+H Clay

KAIA KANEPI — REKA-LUCA JANI / 244. HUN /

6:1 | 6:3 |

Kaia won

Kaia won and will meet Jovana Jaksic (SRB, WTA 165) in the next round. The match will be played tomorrow at 16:30 local and Estonian time.

 

Monday, 18. November 2013

© Sergei Sinitsyn
 

Kaia plays in Sharm El Sheikh this week

Kaia plays this week an ITF $75 000 level tournament in Sharm El Sheikh. She is the top seed and will meet Reka-Luca Jani (HUN, WTA 244) in the first round. The match will most probably be played on Wednesday.

Main draw is posted here

 

Wednesday, 16. October 2013

 

Kremlin Cup

Moscow Russia, 14.10. – 20.10.2013 / Premier

KAIA KANEPI — SAMANTHA STOSUR / 20. AUS /

3:6 | 1:6

Kaia lost

Kaia lost 3:6 1:6 in 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Kaia's own words: "She was on a roll today and very confident. I was not so confident today. Her serve worked very well and during her service games I was just walking form one side of the court to another. As her backhand bounced very low and her forehand very high it was difficult to find good timing on my shots. The points on my serve were often long and difficult and I made errors on deciding moments.

In overall I really like the tournament in Moscow, the people here are very keen and friendly."

 

Saturday, 12. October 2013

 

Moscow: Kaia will meet Stosur in the first round

Kaia will meet Samantha Stosur (WTA 20, AUS) in the first round match of Kremlin Cup. Kaia is leading their head-to-head 1:0.

The match will be played most probably on Wednesday.

 

Monday, 30. September 2013

 

China Open

Beijing China, 28.09. – 06.10.2013 / Premier

KAIA KANEPI — LUCIE SAFAROVA / 35. CZE /

3:6 | 3:6

Kaia lost

Kaia lost 3:6, 3:6 in 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Kaia’s own words: „I played quite well at some points and I am rahter satisfied with the match overall. In the first set I was a bit unlucky as could not convert any break points. In general it was very competitive match and today she was just better. “

Kaia hit 7 aces and 9 double-faults, her opponent had 4 aces and 6 double-faults. Kaia had 7 break points in the first set but could not convert any of them. In total she had 9 break points in the match and converted one of them. Her opponent won 4 break points out of 14.

 

Sunday, 29. September 2013

 

China Open

Beijing China, 28.09. – 06.10.2013 / Premier

KAIA KANEPI — JULIA GOERGES / 48. GER /

7:5 | 6:4

Kaia won

Kaia won and reached to the second round at China Open.

Kaia's own words: "The first match was difficult as usual. The balls and court were uncomfortable. I think because of that we did not have many long rallies. But of course I am very satisfied with the victory.

Although we played in the middle of the day, they had to turn the court lamps on. The smog was so heavy that the weather forecast announced that it was very unhealthy to be outside today and suggested to wear protective masks :)"

Kaia will meet Lucie Safarova (CZE, WTA 35) in the second round. The match will be held tomorrow night at 21 local time / 16:00 Estonian time

 

Friday, 30. August 2013

 

US Open

Flushing Meadows USA, 26.08. – 08.09.2013 / GS hard

KAIA KANEPI — ANGELIQUE KERBER / 9. GER /

0:6 | 4:6

Kaia lost

Kaia lost to Kerber in straight sets 0:6, 4:6

Kaia's own words: "it is a pity that I lost the first long game, it would have helped me to get into the match a little… After that game it felt like she got more and more confident and I was more and more insecure. So the first set went. In the second set I managed to get into the match in the last minute and this time could not manage to turn things around."

 

Thursday, 29. August 2013

 

US Open

Flushing Meadows USA, 26.08. – 08.09.2013 / GS hard

KAIA KANEPI — ANNA SCHMIEDLOVA / 105. SVK /

6:4 | 6:1

Kaia won

Kaia won and will play in the third round.

Kaia's own words: "I did not start well, I could not get my game going in the beginning. My shots were low and comfortable for my opponent. In the middle of the first set I started to change the rhythm and hit more topspin shots. After that I felt good and comfortable, I felt that I was better."

Next up will be the eight seed Angelique Kerber (GER, WTA9) in the third round. Kaia is leading their head-to-head and their last match was this year in Wimbledon.

The match will be played tomorrow as the second match at court number 11. First match starts 11 local time / 18 Estonian time.

Kaia and Sofia Arvidsson also played their first round doubles match today and they lost to Varvara Lepchenko (USA) and Saisai Zheng (CHN) 3:6, 3:6.

 

Monday, 26. August 2013

 

US Open

Flushing Meadows USA, 26.08. – 08.09.2013 / GS hard

KAIA KANEPI — VANIA KING / 130. USA /

4:6 | 7:6(4) | 6:1

Kaia won

Kaia won and reached to the second round.

Kaia's own words: “I was a bit incecure in the first set as I have not played competitive matches for a long time. In the second set I tried to stay in the rallies as much as I could. In the third she broke down a bit and I found a good rythm.”

Kaia will play Anna Schmiedlova (SVK) in the next round. This will be their first match against each other and it will most probably take place on Wednesday.

This time Kaia is playing doubles as well. Her doubles partner is Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) and they will meet Varvara Lepchenko (USA) and Saisai Zheng (CHN) in the first round. Doubles draw here

 

Thursday, 22. August 2013

 

US Open: Kaia to play Vania King in the opening round

Kaia will meet Vania King (USA, WTA 130) in the first round of US Open. Kaia is leading their head-to-head 2:0.

Head-to-head

Main draw

 

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.