Aussie wildcard Kim Birrell pulls off Australian Open upset over opponent who drives TRUCKS
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Wild card Aussie Kim Birrell pulls off one of the biggest upsets of the Open in a huge underdog win – over an opponent who drives trucks for a living when not on the court.
- Australian Kim Birrell pulls off one of the biggest upsets of the Gutsy Open
- The Queenslander has struggled with injuries in recent years.
- Birrell’s opponent, Kaia Kanepi, drives trucks in her spare time.
Bold Queenslander Kimberly Birrell has done her best to turn up the pressure on veteran Kaia Kanepi, sending the part-time trucker packing in the first round of the Australian Open.
The Estonian No.31 seed served for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but Birrell fought back before advancing in the third set to win 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 in two hours and half. while the temperature exceeded 35 degrees in Melbourne Park.
Bold Queenslander Kimberly Birrell has done her best to turn up the pressure on veteran Kaia Kanepi, sending the part-time trucker packing in the first round of the Australian Open.
The 24-year-old became one of two Australian women to advance to the second round at her home slam this year, joining Olivia Gadecki, who defeated Russia’s Polina Kudermetova.
The 24-year-old became one of two Australian women to advance to the second round at their home slam this year, joining Olivia Gadecki, who beat Russia’s Polina Kudermetova on Monday.
Kanepi, 37, drives trucks in his native country in his spare time and for much of Tuesday’s deciding set it looked as if he would rather be there, or anywhere, than fight Birrell under the blazing sun. at Kia Arena.
Birrell’s only two previous victories at the Grand Slam level came during her run to the third round of the 2019 Australian Open.
Tuesday’s win was all the more satisfying as he has battled a series of serious injuries in recent years.
“I would say even without this win today, it was all worth it,” Birrell said.
I’m doing what I absolutely love…living the dream.’
Kanepi (pictured) has reached the quarterfinals seven times in the majors, most recently last year at Melbourne Park.
Birrell made the most of her last wild card into the 2023 tournament, which only became available when former World No.1 Venus Williams returned it after picking up a leg injury at the warm-up event in Auckland.
Kanepi has reached the quarterfinals seven times in the majors, most recently last year at Melbourne Park.
It looked likely that all that big-match experience would prove eye-opening late in the second set on Tuesday, only for Birrell to turn the tide and fall back for 5-5 before checking his value in the tiebreaker to force a decider.
“To be honest, I was trying not to think about it,” Birrell said.
It looked likely that all that big-match experience would be counted at the end of the second set on Tuesday, only for Birrell to turn the tide and break 5-5 before reining in his nerve in the tiebreaker to force a decider.
I knew she was a quality player and I know how deep she has gone in slams.
“Congratulations to her for all the success she’s had, but I’m very happy to win today and to be able to play here again.”
Birrell’s opponent in the second round will be Czech Linda Fruhvirtova, who beat Australian wildcard Jaimee Fourlis 6-0, 6-4 on Tuesday.
Compatriots Storm Hunter and Talia Gibson were eliminated on the first day.
The highest ranked Australian player, Ajla Tomljanovic, was forced to withdraw with a knee injury two days before the tournament began.