Estonian Kaia Kanepi’s solid form in Australia continued in Miami late yesterday with a 6-3, 7-5 win over world No. 80 Lauren Davis.
“It was a very tight contest, especially in the second set, where I was behind in many games and thought there would be a third set,” Kanepi said after the match.
“If I knew what was behind my recent success, I would have done it much earlier. I got to play a lot in the end of last year and the start of this year and competing helps me feel well,”
Kanepi won nine consecutive points in the opening set before Davis responded but at 4-2 the 35-year-old [pushed on to take the nest two games and the set.
David found form in the second and took an early two game advantage before Kanepi fought her way back into the natch to draw level and at five-all grab two games for victory.
Kanepi will next play 21-year old Kazakshtani Elena Rybakina tomorrow.
In other first-round action, Australian Ajla Tomljanovic took 90 minutes to beat Anastasia Potapova 7-5 6-0 and set up a meeting with Australian Open champion and world No.2 Naomi Osaka.
