Kimberly Birrell has reached her first WTA 500 quarterfinal after defeating world No.35 Anastasia Potapova on the Brisbane Worldwide.
Brisbane, QLD, 2 January 2025 | Jackson Mansell
Kimberly Birrell’s fairytale run on the Brisbane Worldwide continues after prevailing towards world No.35 Anastasia Potapova 7-6(2) 6-2.
The Queenslander pressured Potapova’s serve from the outset, producing break level alternatives in seven consecutive video games to arrange a maiden WTA 500 quarterfinal berth.
“I’m so completely speechless,” Birrell mentioned. “To play right here is so particular and to play nicely and have all of you guys behind me, it simply means the world and I hope that I can maintain going and make you guys proud.”
YES @kimbirrell98 !!!! 🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/ZLZ9x0gRTt
— Brisbane Worldwide (@BrisbaneTennis) January 2, 2025
In the present day’s victory provides to a scintillating begin to 2025 for the 26-year-old, who defeated world No.8 Emma Navarro yesterday in straight units. Because the reside WTA rankings stand, Birrell is at present inside the highest 100 at world No.99 – her highest rating up to now.
“It has been an extended street. I’ve had a couple of accidents, however , as does everybody who performs skilled sport, and everybody has their trials and tribulations in life,” she mentioned after damage threatened to finish her profession.
“I’ve been tremendous fortunate to simply have such an unimaginable household and crew behind me, and so they believed in me after I didn’t even assume I used to be going to get again on court docket. They inspired me, and so they’re just about the one purpose why I’m again taking part in at this stage as we speak.”
Birrell could have an opportunity to construct on her Brisbane kind when she faces both Anhelina Kalinina or Yue Yuan tomorrow – each of whom are unseeded gamers.
“I actually consider in the way in which that I’m taking part in and something can occur, particularly within the first week of the 12 months, particularly taking part in at house,” the world No.113 mentioned.
“I can’t wait to get again out right here. Everybody’s a fantastic tennis participant it’s going to take one other massive effort however I’m prepared.”
In doubles motion, James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic upset the second seeds Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten. After dropping the opening set tiebreak, the Aussie pair rallied to win the match 6-7(6) 6-4 [10-8].
Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler additionally made probably the most of a late call-up into Brisbane’s males’s doubles draw after Joe Salisbury (Sickness)/and Neal Skupski have been pressured to withdraw because of a Skupski sickness.
The Australian duo defeated Rithvik Choudary Bollipalli and Robin Hasse, from India and Netherlands respectively, 6-2 6-4 to set a showdown with Individuals Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, who’re the No.7 seeds.
Discover your technique to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to hit the court docket and have some enjoyable!
