Kim Birrell’s impressive run at the Brisbane International came to an end in a thrilling quarter-final match against Anhelina Kalinina.
Birrell, who reached her first-ever WTA-level quarter-final, fought hard after a tough second set to keep the match alive. Despite being ranked 50 spots lower than her opponent, the 26-year-old Australian pushed Kalinina to the limit, but ultimately lost 6-5, 1-6, 7-5.
Birrell’s strong performance at the tournament lifted her into the top 100 of the WTA rankings.
The match lasted over two and a half hours, with Birrell having two match points. But Kalinina, ranked 55th in the world, refused to let the match slip away.
“She is such a fighter,” Abigail Johnson said on Nine. “Even when match points came and went, Kim kept pushing. Brisbane’s Cinderella might be dancing again.”
However, Kalinina turned the match around when Birrell was on match point, breaking back and seizing control. Both players showed signs of fatigue in the final set, but it was Kalinina who found the extra energy to clinch victory.
Kalinina reflected on the intense final moments of the match, admitting she couldn’t fully recall the match point. “Every point was really hard to get,” she said. “I want to give credit to Kim because, wow, what a match.”
Kalinina will face either Ashlyn Krueger or Polina Kudermetova in the semi-finals. Despite her success, she remains focused on her usual preparation. “Normally, it’s so hard for me to win any match,” Kalinina said. “I didn’t expect to reach the semi-finals. We’ll prepare in every way possible for whoever comes.”
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