Kimberly Birrell’s Australian Open campaign has come to a shuddering halt at the hands of second seed Angelique Kerber.
The 20-year-old Australian wildcard made a hasty third round exit with 2016 champion Kerber winning their Rod Laver Arena clash on Friday night 6-1 6-0 in just under one hour.
Kerber next takes on exciting young American Danielle Collins who downed 19th seed Caroline Garcia of France 6-3 6-2.
Birrell was simply outclassed by Birrell, guilty of too many unforced errors with 30 to her opponent’s nine.
Despite the scoreline the reigning Wimbledon champion predicted a bright future for Birrell.
The world No.240 is already assured of a surge into the top 160 after her Open charge.
“She was a tough player, I knew I had to play some of my best tennis from the first to the last,” Kerber said.
“If she is playing like this and working hard she will be a top 100 player very soon.”
It was a double celebration for Kerber, with the match coming on her 31st birthday and she was serenaded by the crowd as she exited the court.