Kaia Kanepi

• Residence: Haapsalu, Estonia
• DOB: June 10, 1985
• Birthplace: Tallinn, Estonia
• Height: 5' 11" (1.81 m)
• Weight: 163 lbs. (74 kg)
• Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Biography

Kaia Kanepi builds up her game around her powerful groundstrokes. Her serve is considered to be one of the strongest on the WTA tour. Kanepi frequently hits 170 km/h to 180 km/h serves. She generally serves for power and tries to hit the lines but sometimes hits a powerful body serve to push her opponents behind the baseline. But sometimes her serve can break down which affects her game.In 2008 she began to improve her volleying skills and under her current coach Luca Appino has begun to use sliced backhand more often thus making her playing more versatile.

She likes to return serves mainly with her backhand which she hits extremely flat and tries to position herself to receive with backhand but is also capable of hitting good service returns with her forehand as well. She likes to end points early but she is capable of playing long rallys and reducing her unforced error count. Overall, she is an offensive baseliner but depending on game situation and scoreboard Kanepi can play a more defensive game despite her not being as fit as some of the other top players on the WTA tour.

Kanepi's career-high ranking was set at World No. 18 on May 25, 2009. As of June 8, 2009 she is ranked World No. 24. She is right-handed and has a two-handed backhand. Her favourite surface is clay.

Career History