WTA roundup: Kimberly Birrell scores upset in Brisbane

Field Level Media|published: Wed 1st January, 11:27 2025

Aug 9, 2023; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Kimberly Birrell (AUS) hits a backhand against Coco Gauff (USA) during a second round match at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Home favorite Kimberly Birrell posted a 7-5, 7-5 second-round upset of No. 2 seed Emma Navarro on Wednesday at the Brisbane International in Australia.

Birrell saved six of 10 break points while overcoming a 4-3 deficit in the first set and a 4-2 deficit in the second set, completing the victory in just over 2 hours. She will face Russia's Anastasia Potapova, a 7-5, 6-4 winner against No. 16 seed Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine.

No. 3 Daria Kasatkina of Russia outlasted Peyton Stearns 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-5. No. 10 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and No. 12 Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic also advanced on a day that saw No. 9 Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, No. 11 Magdalena Frech of Poland and No. 13 Liudmila Samsonova of Russia eliminated.

ASB Classic

Seventh-seeded Naomi Osaka of Japan moved to the quarterfinals with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Austria's Julia Grabher in Auckland, New Zealand.

Osaka struck five aces and saved both break points during the 85-minute match. The four-time Grand Slam winner reached the final eight in her only previous appearance at the tournament in 2017.

No. 5 seed Clara Tauson of Denmark rallied for a 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3) win over Sofia Kenin in 2 hours and 39 minutes. No. 8 Katie Volynets converted six of nine break points in a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Ann Li.

--Field Level Media

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