Maddison Inglis Stuns Birrell In Australian Open Epic

On a dramatic Tuesday night at Melbourne Park, Maddison Inglis defied both the odds and the emotional weight of a lifelong friendship to earn her spot in the second round of the Australian Open for just the second time in her career. The 28-year-old, ranked No.168 in the world, edged out close friend and fellow Aussie Kimberly Birrell (No.76) in a marathon three-hour battle, clinching the victory 7-6(6), 6-7(9), 6-4 in one of the tournament’s most gripping early contests.

For those following the pre-match predictions, this outcome was nothing short of a surprise. Heading into the match, Birrell was heavily favored, with data-driven models from Stats Insider giving her a 66% chance of victory against Inglis’s 34%. Betting odds reflected this, with Birrell at $1.40 and Inglis at a distant $3.00. Even the first set odds leaned towards Birrell, suggesting a strong likelihood she’d seize the early momentum. But as any tennis fan knows, the numbers don’t always tell the full story—especially when heart and history are on the line.

The match itself was a showcase of grit, nerves, and the unique challenges that come from facing a friend across the net. Both players grew up together, rising through the Australian tennis ranks and traveling the world side by side. Their familiarity was evident in the razor-thin margins and the mutual respect that permeated every rally. The first set was a tense affair, with neither player able to break away. Inglis matched Birrell’s power and precision, forcing a tiebreak. There, Birrell saved a set point at 5-6, but a costly double fault at 6-6 handed Inglis a golden opportunity. She seized it, taking the set and the early advantage.

Momentum seemed to swing Inglis’s way as she stormed out to a four-game lead in the second set. But Birrell, undeterred, mounted a fierce comeback, winning the next two games and then breaking Inglis as she served for the match at 5-3. The tension was palpable as the set moved to another tiebreak. Birrell quickly jumped ahead 5-2, but a tumble left her with grazed knuckles on her right hand, adding a layer of physical adversity to the mental battle. Still, she pressed on, saving two match points and, after another double fault at 7-7, finally capitalized on her own big ground strokes to force a deciding set.

“It’s really really hard to play such a good friend. The last few days have been a bit stressful,” Inglis admitted in her on-court interview, her voice breaking with emotion. “It’s so tough. It was an amazing match with Kim and yeah I absolutely adore her so it was really hard to see her on the other side. But I’m stoked I could play through those feelings and be in the second round. It means the world.”

The final set was as tight as the first two, with neither player giving an inch. Games went on serve until 4-4, when Birrell’s serve faltered again, gifting Inglis two break points with a double fault. Inglis needed just one, breaking through and then holding her nerve to serve out the match. The embrace at the net was bittersweet—a testament to both their friendship and the fierce competitiveness that had just been on display.

For Inglis, this victory capped a remarkable run that began in the qualifying rounds, where she notched three wins, including two against seeded players. Her resilience and form have been on full display, and her journey through the draw has captivated the local crowd. The win also contributed to a strong showing for the Australian women’s contingent, with wildcard Taylah Preston also advancing to the second round, bringing the total number of Aussie women left in the singles to six.

Preston’s own victory was noteworthy. The 20-year-old West Australian, who recently took the bold step to compete in lower-tier ITF events to gain more match experience, held her nerve to defeat Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. The win not only boosted her confidence but guaranteed her a $225,000 payday for reaching the second round. “I dropped down a couple levels just to get my match count up, because I wasn’t playing a lot, and that really helped,” Preston said. “I had a really good pre-season in Brisbane ... then last week in Hobart to be able to get a couple of really good wins under my belt really helped with my confidence leading into this week.”

However, the day wasn’t without its disappointments for the home nation. Australia’s top two ranked women, Maya Joint (No.31) and Daria Kasatkina (No.43), both crashed out in their opening matches. Joint, the No.30 seed, fell 6-4, 6-4 to Czech Tereza Valentova, while Kasatkina, competing in her first Australian Open as a citizen, lost a rollercoaster contest 7-6(7), 0-6, 6-3 to Nikola Bartunkova. Their early exits were unexpected, especially given their recent form and seeding.

The men’s draw saw its own share of drama and marathon matches. Qualifier Dane Sweeny celebrated a career milestone by claiming his first-ever win at a Grand Slam, outlasting veteran Gael Monfils in what is expected to be the Frenchman’s final Australian Open appearance. Sweeny’s 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 victory was a testament to his grit and determination. Meanwhile, wildcard James Duckworth survived a four-hour epic against lucky loser Dino Prizmic, eventually prevailing 7-6(4), 3-6, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3. Not every local story had a happy ending, though—Chris O’Connell found himself on the wrong end of a five-set thriller, losing 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-7 (7-3), 6-2, 6-3 to American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy.

The Inglis-Birrell showdown, in particular, will be remembered not just for its scoreline and the quality of tennis, but for the raw emotion and sportsmanship on display. Despite the pre-match predictions and the pressure of the moment, both players delivered a contest that highlighted the very best of Australian tennis—grit, heart, and a sense of camaraderie that transcended the outcome.

As the Australian Open rolls on, the local contingent remains in the spotlight, with Inglis and Preston leading the charge for the home fans. With more drama sure to unfold in the days ahead, one thing’s for certain: at Melbourne Park, anything can happen—and sometimes, the underdog has the last word.