AUCKLAND, New Zealand - There are several players in the field at the 2010 ASB Classic who will be hoping this year is better than the last. So far, so good for Kaia Kanepi, who was among the first round winners on the second day of the $220,000 International series event.
Kanepi became the first Estonian to crack the Top 20 after she reached the semis at Dubai just over a year ago. But after making the last eight at Rome in May, she retired mid-match at Madrid due to a hip injury. So began an 11-match losing streak on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, with knee and ankle injuries also undermining her confidence.
All that was put behind her as the 24-year-old, currently ranked No.61, pummeled No.2 seed Li Na of China, 61 63.
"I feel very satisfied," said Kanepi. "I had only a few games that I didn't do good, but I thought I was mentally stronger today. I didn't give up if I was down... I just kept playing," she added.
"On her serve, I could do nothing," said world No.15 Li. "She was hitting the ball so hard, I couldn't see it. She controlled every point."
Home favorite Marina Erakovic, making her own return from an 11-month lay-off due to a hip injury, was not so fortunate. The 21-year-old was beaten by Alizé Cornet in straight sets, 64 63, and was left to rue lost chances.
"I wish I could say my preparation wasn''t good, but it was good," said Erakovic. "I wish I could say I had a long injury, but it's behind me now.
"When you are at home, you want to play well and when you don't, it sucks."
The day's other winners included fourth seed Francesca Schiavone and fifth seed Virginie Razzano, who beat qualifiers Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro and Monica Niculescu respectively. Carla Suárez Navarro, Ioana Raluca Olaru and Shahar Peer all won in two sets, while Sania Mirza edged Stefanie Voegele in three.
Last year's runner-up, No.6 seed Elena Vesnina, defeated Alberta Brianti, 61 64, while in the evening session Maria Kirilenko was all business against Tatjana Malek, winning 62 63.
