Kimberly Birrell has further cemented herself as Australia's top-ranked singles female after earning a hard-fought three-set triumph to win the ITF75 Brisbane event.
Birrell, 26, got the better of fellow Aussie and good friend Maddison Inglis 6-2 4-6 7-6(2) on Pat Rafter Arena.
It was a match full of momentum swings, with world No.133 Inglis letting slip a 4-2 lead in the second set. However, she dispatched her third set point opportunity to ensure the final went the distance.
Experience and composure propelled Birrell into the box seat for a 5-2 advantage, but Inglis broke back twice to claim four straight games, getting within two points of completing a remarkable comeback.
However, Birrell held firm to send the final into a tiebreak, as the Queenslander steamrolled her way home by winning five consecutive points to win her first title this year.
"I love playing here," she said post-match. "Just growing up here playing on these hard courts, especially in Brisbane, it doesn't get any better.
"Really happy to get an extra week playing here in Brissy."
Birrell's seventh career title will help her overtake former world No.4 Caroline Garcia in 75th place when the new WTA rankings release on Monday, with Olivia Gadecki currently the second-highest-ranked Aussie female at No.99.
An added five wins in Brisbane this week extends her 2025 win-loss record to 13-3.
AATC – Australasian Academy of Tennis Coaches, Providing Quality Coach Education Globally. Led by Industry Leaders and Tennis Business Owners who understand your journey. 🌏 Learn Locally, Coach Globally 🚀 Start Your Coaching Journey Today. Enrol Now at www.aatc.tennis
ความคิดเห็น