Australian wildcard Kim Birrell pulled off one of many Open’s largest upsets in enormous underdog victory – over an opponent who drives a truck for a residing when not on the court docket
- Aussie Kim Birrell pulls off a gutsy efficiency in one of many largest upsets of the Open
- The Queenslander has struggled with damage lately
- Birrell’s rival Kaia Kanepi drives a truck in her spare time
Gutsy Queenslander Kimberly Birrell has labored arduous to show up the warmth on veteran Kaia Kanepi by sending the part-time ice street trucker packing within the first spherical of the Australian Open.
The Estonian No. 31 seed held serve for the match at 5-4 within the second set, however Birrell got here again within the third set earlier than taking two and a half hours to win 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-1. Because the temperature in Melbourne Park exceeds 35 levels.
Sending the part-time Ice Highway trucker packing within the first spherical of the Australian Open, gutsy Queenslander Kimberly Birrell has labored arduous to show up the warmth on veteran Kaia Kanepi.
The 24-year-old grew to become one in all simply two Australian girls to advance to the second spherical at their dwelling Slam this 12 months, becoming a member of Olivia Gadecki, who beat Russian Polina Kudermetova
The 24-year-old grew to become one in all simply two Australian girls to advance to the second spherical at their dwelling Slam this 12 months, becoming a member of Olivia Gadecki, who beat Russian Polina Kudermetova on Monday.
Kanepi, 37, drives vans in his native nation in his spare time and for a lot of Tuesday’s deciding set it appeared like he can be again there – or certainly elsewhere – duking it out with Birrell beneath the blazing solar. Within the Kia Enviornment as a substitute of taking out.
Birrell’s solely two earlier wins at Grand Slam stage got here throughout her run to the third spherical of the 2019 Australian Open.
Tuesday’s win was much more satisfying as a result of she has struggled with quite a few nagging accidents lately.
‘I might say even with out this win at the moment it was all worthwhile,’ stated Birrell.
I’m doing what I actually love…residing the dream.
Kanepi (pictured) has reached the quarter-finals seven occasions within the majors, most just lately at Melbourne Park final 12 months
Birrell took full benefit of her late wildcard into the 2023 event, which solely grew to become out there when former world No. 1 Venus Williams handed it again after struggling a foot damage on the warm-up occasion in Auckland.
Kanepi has reached the quarterfinals seven occasions in majors, most just lately at Melbourne Park final 12 months.
It appeared like all that massive match expertise would inform late within the second set on Tuesday, just for Birrell to show the tide and break for 5-5 earlier than forcing a decider within the tiebreaker.
‘To be trustworthy, I used to be attempting not to consider it,’ Birrell stated.
It appeared like all of the expertise of that massive match would inform late within the second set on Tuesday, just for Birrell to show the tide and break again for 5-5 to drive a decider within the tiebreaker.
I knew she was a top quality participant and I knew how deep she went within the Slams.
‘Congratulations on her success, however I’m very completely happy that I received at the moment and bought an opportunity to play right here once more.’
Birrell’s second-round opponent can be Czech Linda Fruhvirtova, who beat fellow Australian wildcard Jamie Fourlis 6-0 6-4 on Tuesday.
Countrywoman Storm Hunter and Talia Gibson have been each eradicated on the primary day.
Two days earlier than the beginning of the event, Australia’s highest-ranked feminine participant, Ajla Tomljanovic, was compelled to withdraw with a knee damage.
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