Kaia Kanepi

Kaia Kanepi was born in Tallinn, Estonia to parents who introduced their daughter to the game of tennis. Her sister Kadri won a tennis scholarship and moved to the US. Only 25 years old, this Estonian looks up to Martina Hingis, Marat Safin, Roger Federer and Any Rodick.

She ranked first on the ITF Junior Rankings by winning six singles and turned pro 2000. She attended her first WTA tour reaching the finals in the Gaz de France Stars in Belgium. She defeated Anne Kremer, Francesca Schiavone, Nathalie Dechy, Eleni Daniilidou and Michaella Krajicek. She lost the title to Kim Clijisters.

She managed to get past the first round in a though game with Flavia Pennetta who was 28 seed. She was defeated by Alicia Molik in the second round. In the Indian Wells, she put up a great fight against the eventual winner Daniela Hantuchova. Kanepi also got through the semifinals of the Bad Gastein in Austria but lost to Francesca Schiavone but the attempt earned her the top 40 spot in the world tennis rankings.

She has played in 13 WTA tournaments starting with the ASB Classic. January of this year saw her at the Medibank International reaching the quarterfinals before succumbing to Justine Henin 2-6, 0-6. Her scores faired better at the Cachantun Cup losing to Flavia Pennetta at 3-6, 3-6. She again faced Pennetta in February and losing to her the Alberto Mexicano Telcel Tournament title.

Her career high this year was the quarterfinal rounds of the French Open last May. She eventually lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova at 5-7, 2-6. Her performance this year earned her a spot at the Wimbledon but was defeated by Serena Williams in the first round. Her current world ranking is 22th.