Former champion Kaia Kanepi overpowered Brit Heather Watson 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday to qualify for a main draw berth at the Brisbane International.
Despite heavy strapping on her thigh and shoulder, the 2012 champion said she felt good on the court and was relishing the conditions.
“I like the climate … it’s really humid the last few days, but I like that the courts are covered,” Kanepi said. “The speed of the court suits my game really well.”
Kanepi will face Russian Daria Kasatkina in the opening round as she looks to continue her comeback.
Also qualifying for a main draw berth in the women’s field was Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko, who downed countrywoman Dayana Yastremska 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Bondarenko will face CiCi Bellis in the first round.
American Jennifer Brady beat countrywoman Kristie Ahn 6-1, 6-4 to set first-round date with Romanian Sorana Cirstea, while Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich defeated Russian Polina Monova 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. She will start against No.6 seed Kristina Mladenovic.
In the men’s qualifying draw, a pair of Americans booked main draw berths with Ernesto Escobedo prevailing over Slovak Jozef Kovalik 6-2, 7-6(4) and Michael Mmoh downing rising Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-4, 6-3. A brief rain delay was not enough to deny Peter Polansky as the Canadian booked his passage through with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 result over German Yannick Hanfmann.