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 in opposition to 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 stated. “To play right here is so particular and to play effectively and have all of you guys behind me, it simply means the world and I hope that I can preserve going and make you guys proud.”
YES @kimbirrell98 !!!! 🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/ZLZ9x0gRTt
— Brisbane Worldwide (@BrisbaneTennis) January 2, 2025
As we speak’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 dwell WTA rankings stand, Birrell is presently inside the highest 100 at world No.99 – her highest rating up to now.
“It has been an extended street. I’ve had just a few accidents, however you understand, as does everybody who performs skilled sport, and everybody has their trials and tribulations in life,” she stated after harm threatened to finish her profession.
“I’ve been tremendous fortunate to simply have such an unimaginable household and workforce behind me, and so they believed in me once I didn’t even assume I used to be going to get again on courtroom. They inspired me, and so they’re just about the one cause why I’m again enjoying at this degree at this time.”
Birrell could have an opportunity to construct on her Brisbane type when she faces both Anhelina Kalinina or Yue Yuan tomorrow – each of whom are unseeded gamers.
“I actually imagine in the best way that I’m enjoying and something can occur, particularly within the first week of the yr, particularly enjoying at dwelling,” the world No.113 stated.
“I can’t wait to get again out right here. Everybody’s an ideal tennis participant it’s going to take one other huge 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 essentially 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 People Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, who’re the No.7 seeds.
Discover your method to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to hit the courtroom and have some enjoyable!
