Kimberly Birrell is already planning a bigger and better 2023 after falling to Czech teenage sensation Linda Fruhvirtova in the Australian Open second round.
The Queenslander had high hopes after eliminating No.31 seed Kaia Kanepi in the opening round but Fruhvirtova had her number from the get-go, winning 6-3 6-2 on Thursday.
Birrell was the last remaining Australian woman in the singles draw after the round-two loss of youngster Olivia Gadecki and the withdrawal of the top-ranked Ajla Tomljanovic with a knee injury two days before the Open.
“Obviously I’m a little bit sad that I didn’t win today. I would love to play it again, but overall I’m really stoked with the way that I’m playing,” Birrell said.
“I showed some of my best tennis in my first-round match and it’s hard to be too upset with all the support I’ve been given in the last few days and weeks.”
After a run of serious injuries threatened her career, the 24-year-old’s win over Kanepi was her first at a grand slam.
Birrell had no luck against 17-year-old Fruhvirtova, who won her first WTA title in Chennai last year to move inside the top 100.
Fruhvirtova broke Birrell on her opening serve and raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening set and while the 24-year-old steadied, the Czech broke her again for a 5-3 scoreline before serving for the set.
The second set followed in similar fashion with the world No.87, who ousted another Australian wildcard Jaimee Fourlis in round one, again getting the early break.
Birrell pocketed $US110,000 ($A158,500) for advancing to the second round, which she said would make a huge difference to her year and her quest to climb from 167 to a spot in the top 100.
“It’s really changed my year, not only the confidence that I’ve gained from my first-round win against Kanepi,” she said.
“She’s an amazing player, so I’ve got that under my belt now and I know I can compete against the best in the world, as well as the prize money.
“It hasn’t exactly sunk in but I am going have chat with my family and team and make a really strong plan for the next few months.
“There’s heaps of positives to take the last few days and I’m really excited to use the money I’ve won here to invest in myself.”
© AAP 2023
