Brussels, Belgium – Kaia Kanepi of Estonia won a pair of matches Saturday to capture the Brussels Open.
Kanepi first posted a straight-set win over American Jamie Hampton in the semifinals, then knocked off China's Peng Shuai, 6-2, 7-5, in the final to earn her fourth career WTA title. She won twice last year, first in Brisbane and then in Estoril, and will head to the French Open with momentum from a strong month of May.
A quarterfinalist at the French Open last year and also in 2008, clay appears to suit Kanepi. She reached the semifinals in Portugal to start May and lost to Maria Sharapova in the Madrid quarterfinals prior to this week's run to the championship.
Kanepi, now 4-4 all-time in finals, earned a first prize of $120,000. She is scheduled to face Klara Zakopalova in the first round of the French Open next week.
Peng, who was seeded eighth this week, fell to 0-5 all-time in finals. She also lost in the title match of this event two years ago, falling to Caroline Wozniacki.
Rain this week forced the semifinals and final to be staged Saturday.
Peng went three sets in Saturday's semifinals against Switzerland's Romina Oprandi before running out of gas in her first-ever matchup with Kanepi. Camila Giorgi awaits Peng in the first round at Roland Garros next week.
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