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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.