NEW YORK: Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi became only the second qualifier to reach the US Open quarter-finals when the world number 418 defeated Russia’s Daria Kasatkina 6-4, 6-4 on Monday.

The 32-year-old Kanepi, a former world number 15 whose career was almost ended by illness and a crippling injury to both feet, will face Madison Keys of the United States for a place in the semi-finals.

It will be her sixth quarter-final at the majors and second in New York after also reaching the last eight in 2010.
“It’s very tough to believe where I am now after all that has happened. I didn’t expect it,” said Kanepi, who is playing in the main draw of an event for the first time this year.

WTA event in Rabat

In 2016, she appeared in just one WTA event in Rabat, losing in the first round before a battle with the effects of Epstein-Barr virus and then plantar fasciitis in both feet forced her off tour.

But after passing her time by walking her dog Bossu, taking a vacation in Hawaii and racing cars on Finland’s treacherous ice roads, she decided to try tennis once more.
“In June last year, I didn’t care if I didn’t play tennis again,” said Kanepi.
“I just tried to live a normal life and enjoy it and slowly figuring out. But it’s very important to do what you love. If you do, then things will come.”

She got back into shape by training with  Estonia’s 2008 Olympic discus thrower Gerd Kanter.
Once she was fit, she returned to action, playing two second-tier ITF events in Estonia and Germany while failing to qualify for Wimbledon and Bucharest.

US Open

Using a protected ranking, she entered qualifying at the US Open and has not looked back, picking up her first main draw wins in the best part of two years.

“It’s very tough to believe where I am now after all that has happened. I didn’t expect it,” said Kanepi.

She will face Madison Keys of the United States for a place in the semi-finals.

It will be Kanepi’s sixth quarter-final at the majors and second in New York after also reaching the last eight in 2010.

“Now I am a great tennis player,” she said after seeing off Kastakina.

It’s a feeling aided by being back in New York where she first played back in 2002.
“I have always loved being in New York. Even after I went to Hawaii, I came two days to New York just to stay in the city,” she explained.

“I wanted to be in the city. And I like the atmosphere. I like being here. I love the courts and the climate, and I think that the courts suit my game really well.”

Also read:Maria Sharapova determined to prove a point on Grand Slam return at US Open