Australian teen Kimberly Birrell is having the best week of her life at the Hobart International – not only has she played in her first WTA Tour singles main draw, she has had her first win too. Added to this, she’s also into the doubles semifinals and it was announced yesterday she had received a wildcard into the Australian Open singles main draw next week. Can it get any better?
It’s hard to top all that – but an upset win over 2014 Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova just might.
The 17-year-old Birrell goes head-to-head with Cibulkova, the world No.37, in the Hobart International second round today.
On paper it looks like a total mismatch – Cibulkova is a four-time WTA Tour champion, Birrell is in her first tournament; Cibulkova has earnt close to $7 million dollars in prizemoney, Birrell’s haul is just over $25,000; Cibulkova has been as high as No.10 in the rankings, Birrell’s current mark of No.341 is her career-best. But underestimating an opponent is a mistake the Slovakian has made before and is vowing she won’t do that again against Birrell.
“Three years ago at the US Open I played a girl who was 15 years old (American CiCi Bellis) and I thought, okay she might be nervous and it will be an easy match, and then suddenly it wasn’t easy and I lost,” Cibulkova recalled.
“I’m going to be ready for her and I will not underestimate her. She’s got nothing to lose, she can only play well so it’s my job to go on the court and be ready.”
Birrell is excited about the challenge.
“It’s such a good opportunity,” she said. “I’m just going to try my best, keep learning and keep fighting. I’m just excited.”
Our 2012 champion Mona Barthel opens play on centre court, meeting big-hitting Japanese qualifier Naomi Osaka. This is followed by a second round clash between Dutch qualifier Kiki Bertens and German Annika Beck.
Defending champion Heather Watson headlines the night session, meeting fourth seed and a Hobart crowd favourite Monica Niculescu.
The schedule also features two doubles quarterfinals, including the defending champions Bertens and her Swedish partner Johanna Larsson.
Who are your picks on day four of Hobart International 2016? Tell us what you think by joining the #HobartTennis conversation on social media – Twitter or Facebook.