MELBOURNE, Australia – Kimberly Birrell was awarded a wildcard into next month’s Australian Open after winning the playoff final in Melbourne on Sunday.
The 20-year-old eighth seed, born in Germany but an Australian national, beat Astra Sharma 6-4, 6-2 to secure her place in the main draw, representing a turnaround after elbow surgery two years ago.
“I’m feeling so happy, just so much joy,” she said after her straight-sets victory. “And maybe a little bit of relief too. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity and I’m so glad I was able to take it.
“There were a little bit of nerves creeping in at the end – I just had to take it one point at a time. [Astra] has some really big weapons – she has really good serve and forehand. I just had to worry about my end of the court, just back myself, that whenever I got an opportunity I had to take it.”
The opening Grand Slam tournament of 2019 will be Birrell’s second appearance in the main event in Melbourne, having previously competed, again as a wildcard, three years ago. She went down in straight sets to ninth seed Karolina Pliskova in the first round.
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