Tuesday, 01. May 2012

 

Estoril Open

Estoril POR, 30.04. – 05.05.2012 / International $220K clay

KAIA KANEPI — SLOANE STEPHENS / 83. USA /

6:1 | 6:0

Kaia won

Kaia's won words: "I played very well and confident today. I was aggressive and executed my shots well, I tried to move her around the court and made my shots work. She did not have many chances today. I felt confident on the second serve, during the match I did not realise that the first serve percentage is so low - I did not have a problem with it today

The weather was a bit cold and rainy in the morning. The court was a bit damp and soft in the beginning. During the game it was also quite windy occasionally.

I have played with King before; it was quite difficult match couple years ago in Rome. She moves well and hits also well. I had a practice with her here as well“

In the second round Kaia will meet Vania King (USA, WTA 52). Match will be held tomorrow at court number 2, not before 12:30 (local time)/ 14:30 (Estonian time)

 

Wednesday, 02. May 2012

© kaiakanepi.com
 

Estoril Open

Estoril POR, 30.04. – 05.05.2012 / International $220K clay

KAIA KANEPI — VANIA KING / 52. USA /

6:3 | 6:4

Kaia won

Kaia’s own words: "The matches were a bit delayed today due to the rain. I started my match very well, it took some time for Vania to get into the game. In the middle of the first set the match become very competitive. Also some time in the middle of second set there was suddenly quite strong wind, playing against the wind was more difficult. After we changed the ends and i played downwind, it was easier for me and I won the first set.

The second set was also very competitive, i played aggressive and made some mistakes on deciding points. When the conditions were good and there was no wind, the match was quite good – we had many long rallies and I was attacking.

I do not know much about my tomorrows opponent, I know that she hits quite flat but is very skilful. I will play my game and we’ll see how it turns out."

Kaia will meet Petra Cetkovska (CZE, WTA 28) in the quarterfinal match tomorrow at 11:00 (local time)/ 13:00 (Estonian time) at court number 1.

 

Thursday, 03. May 2012

© Reuters/Scanpix
 

Estoril Open

Estoril POR, 30.04. – 05.05.2012 / International $220K clay

KAIA KANEPI — PETRA CETKOVSKA / 28. CZE /

6:3 | 3:6 | 6:3

Kaia won

Kaia’s own words: „I played mostly well in the first set. It was a bit hectic for both of us, sometimes it worked out well and sometimes it did not. My opponent fell in the first set and there was quite a long break. After that she made many mistakes. In the second set I was leading 3:1 when she started to hit very flat and brave and it all worked out for her. In the deciding set I was also leading 3:1, but could not manage to keep the lead. The match was very competitive, I was a bit more confident and aggressive in the end. It was very difficult match and small nuances decided the winner. Today I made it, it was may day I guess. It is nice to win tough matches.

Tomorrow I play the first match on the centre court. We’ll see, maybe it will be a bit postponed as we are expecting rain here. It was a long time ago when I last played Vinci, it does not mean anything that I have so far not won a match against her. Tomorrow is a totally new game. She has a good sliced backhand, I must be patient and wait for my moments to attack.“

Kaia will meet Roberta Vinci (ITA, WTA 23) in tomorrow's semi final match

 

Friday, 04. May 2012

© APF/SCANPIX
 

Estoril Open

Estoril POR, 30.04. – 05.05.2012 / International $220K clay

KAIA KANEPI — ROBERTA VINCI / 23. ITA /

6:2 | 7:5

Kaia won

Kaia won and will play in her second WTA final in 2012 tomorrow.

Kaia's own words: "It was a good match. In the first set I played well and I was also lucky - many balls hit the line. It was totally my set. In the second set I hit the same way but I made more mistakes - did not make the lines. The opponent gained some confidence and started to play better and it got complicated. When I was 5:2 down, I thought that, well, I need to keep trying and see what can be done - do not give up. Then the tables started to turn. In overall, I felt good through the match, I knew that was playing well.

Tomorrows opponent is tough, I have played with her couple of years back. Final is final, I must play well in order to win it."

Kaia's opponent in tomorrow's final is Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP, WTA 58)

The draw for the next WTA tournament Madrid Open is also available. More information here

 

Saturday, 05. May 2012

© APF/SCANPIX © Sergei Sinitsyn © Sergei Sinitsyn
 

Estoril Open

Estoril POR, 30.04. – 05.05.2012 / International $220K clay

KAIA KANEPI — CARLA SUAREZ NAVARRO / 58. ESP /

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

Kaia won

Kaia won her second title this year! The match lasted 2 hours and 37 minutes and Suarez Navarro had also two match points in the second set.

Kaia's own words: "In the first set I started out well but then it turned around. I started to make more mistakes and she started to get most of the points. The whole set I tried to be aggressive but it did not work out. It did for my opponent and the game started slightly to go in direction she wanted. Every time I tried to do something, I made an error. I thought that if I continue like this I will lose this match in two sets and can go already to the plane to Madrid.

In the middle of the second set I changed my game plan, I started to play longer points and hit more higher shots to her backhand side. I become more emotional, started to talk to myself, show some emotions – to try to get into the match somehow. It got more competitive. In tie-break I was concentrating on every point – I thought that what the hell, I want to play the decider, to be more on the court, have more excitement and that it would not end in the second set. I was thinking that even if I will lose the third set, at least we a have good final. In the deciding set I started aggressively again and in the first game it worked. Then I fell behind again and realised that I cannot play aggressive with her. I decided to do the same I did in the second set and it worked. When it was 4:4 I felt that she played a bit scarcely and I needed to be a bit more aggressive. So I did, it worked and it was fantastic.

There were more people cheering for my opponent today but also I heard my fans from the crowd as well. I was looking towards Kristjan (my fitness coach) a lot and it helped me to be more positive. I got a watch as a prize and they wrapped the trophy for me as well to take back home.

I can probably rest tomorrow but definitely on Monday I need to play in the next tournament."

WTA article

The next tournament will be Mutua Madrid Open which started today. Kaia's opponent in the first round is Lucie Safarova (WTA 21) and the match will be on Monday. More about the next tournament