(May 25, 2013) Unseeded Kaia Kanepi claimed her first title of 2013 by defeating eighth seed Peng Shuai in the final of the Brussels Open on Saturday 6-2, 7-5. Both women had to play both semifinals and the final due to rain earlier in the week washing out play. The Estonian Kanepi also had to win two matches on Friday.
“It was a difficult second set where I had match point in many games but just couldn’t finish it,” Kanepi noted. “I was playing really well until 62 52, but I’ve had problems like this before. I just kept trying to pump myself up and not get too negative about losing the situations I had earlier.”
“Kaia played really well,” Peng said, “heavy shots and big serves. I tried my best but it was just really hard against her. I thought I could come back at 5-all but she broke me again and held serve. I’m happy I made it to the final again here though. It was a really good week for me.”
When the new rankings come out Kanepi will move up to No. 26 while Peng will rise to No. 23.