Kaia Kanepi once again knocked out a Top 10 seed from a Grand Slam, bouncing No. 10 seed Garbiñe Muguruza from the first round of the French Open.
Sunday’s 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win is Kanepi’s 19th career victory against a seeded player in the first three rounds of a Grand Slam.
The Estonian star has notched ten major wins against Top 10 players throughout her career. Before Roland Garros, Kanepi took out then-World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open to advance to her seventh Grand Slam quarterfinal.
The Grand Slam specialist does it again! 👀@KanepiKaia knocks out 2016 champion Garbine Muguruza 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the second round.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/XHscZbCH02— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 22, 2022
The Grand Slam specialist does it again! 👀@KanepiKaia knocks out 2016 champion Garbine Muguruza 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the second round.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/XHscZbCH02
“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,” said Kanepi. “I try to be more focused and not too emotional when I play in Slams.”
At 37 years old, Kanepi is the oldest competitor in the French Open’s main draw, advancing to take on Beatriz Haddad Maia in Round 2.