Kimberly Birrell is hoping she needs a leave pass for the rest of the week after booking a third-round berth in the Australian Open girls’ championship.

The 16-year-old was due to start her first day of year 12 at her Queensland high school on Tuesday but had an impressive excuse for her absence.

Australia’s highest ranked player in the girls’ draw at No.6, Birrell had a 2-6 6-2 6-4 win over Germany’s Katharina Hobgarski.

A semi-finalist in the tournament last year, Birrell is looking to go one better and play off for the title at Melbourne Park.

“I had a slow start and it was a bit windy and it took a bit of time to get my rhythm,” she said.

“It’s exciting to be in round three and I get to play again.

“I’m hoping I can go further because I definitely feel like I’ve improved a lot.”

Birrell will next face tricky Canadian left-hander Charlotte Robillard-Millette, who eliminated another Australian, Priscilla Hon, in the first round.

The Gold Coaster is on target to meet Sarah Tomic, the younger sister of Bernard, in the quarter finals.

Tomic, also 16, had an impressive 6-2 6-3 win over France’s Tessah Andrianjafitrimo.

She is aiming to replicate Bernard’s feat of winning the boys’ title in 2008.

Another rising star Destanee Aiava, 14, is also through to the third round after beating 15th-seed Czech Miriam Kolodziejova 6-3 7-6 (7-5).

Aiava, from Melbourne, also made the third round last year and has set herself a lofty early goal for 2015.

“I want to win a junior grand slam before I turn 15,” she said.

“That’s in May so this is it.”

In the boys’ draw, Australia’s 15th seed Akira Santillan had a hard-fought 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 win over Vietnam’s Nam Hoang Ly.

The 17-year-old Queenslander has joined Jake Delaney and Marc Polmans in the third round.