Australian wildcard Kimberly Birrell is dreaming big after securing the most important victory of her burgeoning tennis career, ousting No.29 seed Donna Vekic in the second round of the Australian Open.
The win takes Birrell into new territory; it will drop her world ranking by 100 places and secure her a likely match-up with former champion Angelique Kerber.
But when informed of her $155,000 cheque coming her way for securing a third-round berth at Melbourne Park, the 20-year-old’s response was disarmingly modest.
“Maybe I can buy myself a car now,” she said while laughing, “my mum and I share one.”
Birrell won 6-4 4-6 6-1 against the Croatian on Wednesday, digging herself out of a second-set hole to rampage home to the delight of a patriotic crowd on court three.
The sole wildcard winner through the third round thanked the crowd for their support.
“I was able to bounce back and I definitely used their energy,” she said.
“I was able to wrestle back the momentum a little bit at the end of the second set and definitely used that going into the third.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to get rid of the smile on my face any time soon. I’m super happy.
“I’m just so happy to get to play again.”
Birrell is the latest success story out of Southport, the region that’s produced Aussie aces Samantha Stosur and Bernard Tomic.
Her victory continued a brilliant start to 2019 for the Queenslander, who claimed the first top-10 scalp of her career when she beat Russian Daria Kasatkina at the Brisbane International.
She’s likely to have the chance to take another on Friday.
Kerber, the world No.2, looms as her likely third-round opponent in a match destined for the bright lights of Rod Laver Arena.
Birrell said she anticipated a few more friends from the Gold Coast joining her entourage before then.
“I’m actually a bit scared to turn my phone on,” she said.
“The support has been absolutely incredible. Not just this week but the last few weeks.
“I definitely have gone to every single match believing I can win.
“Anything can happen. You have to dream big.”
