Estonian tennis player Kaia Kanepi pulled off a big comeback win on Day 1 of the French Open and afterward admitted she is always extra inspired to do well at the Grand Slams. On Sunday, Kanepi appeared to be heading toward a straight-set loss but then miracously recovered to stun 10th-seeded Garbine Muguruza 2-6 6-3 6-4.
It wasn’t looking good for Kanepi as Muguruza had a comfortable 6-2 3-1 lead. Just when it seemed Kanepi was done, she started playing much better and created a stunning comeback to shock 2016 French Open champion Muguruza.
“It’s not easy to play a tough opponent in the first round, but I think I enjoy playing Grand Slams more and I think the motivation is higher than smaller tournaments. I try to be more focused and not too emotional when I play in Slams,” Kanepi said, per the WTA website.
Kanepi shocks Muguruza in three sets
In the first set, Muguruza broke Kanepi in the third and seventh games to open a 5-2 lead. Kanepi had her chances in the first set but she missed out on five break points in the second game and one more break point in the sixth game.
Muguruza was realizing her chances in the first set and she served out for the opener in the eighth game. After winning the first set, Muguruza started the second set with a 2-0 lead and had a break point in the third game to go up by a double break.
Kanepi saved the break point in the third game but still Muguruza led 3-1 after the opening four games of the second set. Out of nowhere, Kanepi started playing much better as she won five consecutive games to overturn a 3-1 second set deficit and force a decider.
Kanepi then collected the lone break of the third set in the ninth game and served out for the match in the 10th game. It was the second meeting between Kanepi and Muguruza. Kanepi and Muguruza met for the first time at the Australian Open in 2014.
Back then, Muguruza beat Kanepi in three sets. Kanepi got her revenge eight years later and now plays next Beatriz Haddad-Maia.
