Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 30 December 2024 | Joel Gould (AAP)
Australia’s Kimberly Birrell has arrange a Brisbane Worldwide second-round showdown with world No.9 Emma Navarro after a three-set win over compatriot Priscilla Hon.
After dropping the primary set and trailing 3-1 within the second, 26-year-old Birrell received 3-6 7-5 6-2 towards her pal and former follow accomplice.
Birrell joins countrywoman Maya Joint within the second spherical, a day after Joint beat one other Aussie in Maddison Inglis.
Hon, who had received two qualifying matches to make the primary draw, led the head-to-head contest between the pair 5-2 going into the match, however 5 had been three-set thrillers.
The proper anniversary present for her mother and father 💜#BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/GsnUAbQio2
— wta (@WTA) December 30, 2024
Wildcard entrant Birrell has loved a robust end to the 12 months, together with reaching the ultimate of the Japan Open, and he or she showcased nice struggle and talent to get again into the match.
After 4 consecutive service breaks within the opening set, world No.167 Hon, additionally 26, discovered her groove after serving an ace to take a 4-3 lead. She then broke Birrell and served out the set.
Her powerhouse backhand began to seek out its mark and he or she discovered confidence along with her serve and volley.
Hon went out to a 3-1 lead within the second set earlier than Birrell upped the ante. She fought again, successful 78 per cent of first serves and attacking the Hon service sport.
Hon saved three break factors early within the deciding set however Birrell broke within the fourth sport then received the longest level of the match, a 31-stroke alternate, to interrupt once more and take a 4-2 lead.
She didn’t look again.
