Kimberly Birrell’s remarkable run at the Brisbane International came to an end as she fell just short of reaching the semifinals, but her performance has solidified her place as Australia’s new number one female tennis player. The 26-year-old showcased her skills against Anhelina Kalinina, who saved a match point to secure her place with a nail-biting 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory.
Birrell started the match strong, taking the first set 6-4 and thrilling the home crowd at Pat Rafter Arena. Her prior victories included wins over high-caliber competitors, including world number eight Emma Navarro and 35th-ranked Anastasia Potapova.
“I’m super, super proud of the way I’ve been playing and just backing myself,” Birrell expressed confidently post-match. “No matter who was down the other end, I trusted my ability and the work I put in during the off-season.”
Despite the disappointment of not advancing, Birrell’s quarter-final appearance earned her live WTA ranking inside the top 100 for the first time, currently sitting at number 99. For Birrell, this marks the beginning of what could be a significant year, especially with the Australian Open qualifiers on the horizon.
Birrell’s performance during the Brisbane tournament has boosted her confidence remarkably, having recently battled back from elbow injuries five years ago which derailed her career. She had to rethink her future after dropping out of the world’s top 800.
“Of course, I’m disappointed getting so close, just falling short, but I’m definitely going to focus on the positives,” she said. “The confidence I’ve gained this week has been unreal. You just can’t replicate what you feel on the match court.”
Birrell started the match on the front foot, breaking Kalinina's serve to take the initial lead, but the Ukrainian quickly retaliated. After taking the second set, Kalinina applied pressure during the third set, allowing her to secure her victory and move forward to the semi-finals.
Rallying through physical challenges and impressive play, Birrell noted, “I needed some more legs but I was really happy to just give 100 percent of whatever I had left.” Her determination during the match was evident as she fought through multiple break point opportunities against Kalinina.
Competing over the nearly two-and-a-half-hour match, Kalinina managed to find herself under massive pressure, saving match points before finally breaking through Birrell’s defenses. “I want to give credit to Kim Birrell because wow, what a match,” Kalinina acknowledged.
Kimberly Birrell’s rise as Australia’s top female tennis player marks her as one to watch as she heads to Melbourne for the Australian Open qualifiers. “I’m definitely going to keep riding the high I’ve been on this week and take it to Melbourne; it should be fun,” Birrell concluded, resolute about her future challenges.
Despite her early exit from the Brisbane International, Birrell's impactful performances have left fans and analysts excited for what lies ahead. With her current momentum, she will focus on qualifying for the Australian Open, which will begin soon, maintaining her positive outlook and determination as she progresses her tennis career.