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'OVERWHELMED' VUKIC DEFEATS TOP SEED; BIRRELL MAKES FIRST WTA SEMI



Aleksandar Vukic continues his brilliant form, getting the better of world No.15 and top seed Frances Tiafoe 6-2 7-6(11) at the Almaty Open in Kazakhstan.


The Aussie recently defeated three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud at the Shanghai Masters, and the Sydneysider claimed another upset scalp in a thrilling tiebreak.


After winning the first set rather comfortably, Vukic forced a second-set breaker without conceding a break point chance on serve the entire contest, but required five match points to eventually get the job done.


"(I’m) pretty overwhelmed, that tiebreak was pretty crazy," said Vukic after reaching his third ATP-level semi-final.


"We were both a little bit nervous and the crowd was really getting into it, the atmosphere was great.


"I guess this is what it’s all about, you don’t feel emotions like this anywhere else. Happy to get through and go again tomorrow."



The 28-year-old is yet to drop a set en route to the semi-finals and will meet third-seed Karen Khachanov for a place in the final.


In Japan, qualifier Kimberly Birrell reached her maiden WTA semi-final after taking down local hope Sara Saito 7-5 6-4.


The German-born Aussie has weaved her way through a challenging path, defeating both third seeds in qualifying and the main draw.


After the victory, she posted on Instagram to express her delight.


"This one felt good. Pumped for more tomorrow!!" Birrell wrote.


Rewarded with a rankings boost of 29 places to world No.121, the 26-year-old awaits another Japanese opponent, Aoi Ito, in the last-four later today.



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