Aussie wrap: Ash Barty, Kim Birrell keep good times rolling with wins at Australian Open
There will be at least two local women in the third round of the Australian Open after the world No.240 unexpectedly joined Ashleigh Barty as an impressive winner on Wednesday.
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“You’re crazy”.
That’s what Australian Kimberly Birrell would have told people one month ago had they said she’d make the third round of the Australian Open.
The world No.240 has enjoyed the best month of her career to start the 2019 season, defeating world No.10 Daria Kasatkina at the Brisbane International before stunning No.29 seed Donna Vekic on Wednesday.
“It’s still definitely sinking in,” Birrell said following her 6-4 4-6 6-1 win.
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“You can’t beat yourself before you walk out on the court. Before every single match I’ve just believed in myself.
“Anything can happen.”
Birrell steamrolled Vekic in the deciding set 6-1, regrouping after dropping the second 4-6.
The 20-year-old said she never lost confidence.
“There were definitely some nerves but I was trying to stay in the moment, just concentrate on one point at a time and I just tried my hardest and left it all out there,” Birrell said.
Birrell could face No.2 seed Angelique Kerber in the third round but holds no fears.
“That would be such an incredible experience but I’m just trying to take it all in,” she said of the match-up.
“I definitely have gone into every single match believing that I can win. I’ve put in a lot of work off the court and on the court.
“Anything can happen, you just have to dream big I guess.”
A packed house inside Court 3 erupted as the 20-year-old secured the biggest win of her career.
“It is so surreal,” she said.
“That was just such a blur but all I know is yeah I left it all out there and I used the energy from the crowd and they were the best and I just so very excited.
“I get get to play again. It is crazy.”
Barty cruises into third round
Unaffected by politics and nerves – and not even the absence of coach Craig Tyzzer – Ash Barty’s advance towards the Australian Open’s second week is all about simplicity.
One of the tour’s most watchable talents, Barty paraded a well-grooved repertoire of strokes, steeled by resolute focus to reach the third round as Tyzzer was laid low with illness.
Supported by Australian Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik, Barty extended a stunning home season run with a comprehensive display to earn a shot at Greek talent Maria Sakkari.
Seemingly immune to external forces, Barty has become expert at blocking out expectation.
“I don’t read the papers to start off with,” the Queenslander said.
“I can come out here and play with freedom.
“When I’m playing well, I’m really enjoying myself out on court and that is all I can ask of every match.
“If I win, it’s a bonus. If I lose, the sun still comes up the next day and it’s all good.”
No Australian woman has lifted the title since Chris O’Neil in 1978.
If Barty, a junior Wimbledon winner, is even remotely aware of history’s weight, she shows no sign of it.
“All I have been focusing on is my matches upcoming and working with Mol (Molik) and keeping my team very tight-knit,” she said.
“For us it’s all business as usual, the same routines that we go through before any match.
“Any time you can take a win, you gain confidence from that.
“But certainly my body is feeling great. Very nice to come out with two really clean matches. And now we get to look forward to doubles and a bit more singles, as well.”
Barty said Tyzzer, who she said was “crook” and on “best rest at the moment had communicated with Molik pre-match.
“It’s a very seamless transition. I still have the same discussion with ‘Tyz’.
“It’s just not face to face, it’s over the phone,” she said.
“Then ‘Mol’ is able to relay that as well and to reassure me.
“But it’s a very seamless transition.”
Sakkari represents Barty’s most serious obstacle so far.
The Greek beat Barty comfortably in Indian Wells last year.
Sharma run comes to an end
Astra Sharma has never been one for the bright lights.
The Aussie had never played in conditions like Wednesday as a rampant, predominantly-Greek supporting crowd joined in song to cheer on her opponent, Maria Sakkari.
The Western Australian prefers a simple approach to tennis, urging young players to stick to the basics as they - like her, at Kardinya, a suburb of Perth - chase grand slam main draws.
“You don’t have to have the best facilities,” she said.
“You don’t have to have the best hitting partners.
“What I’ve taken away from my journey is that if you want it enough and you’re the one pushing it - not your parents, not your coach - (you can do it). I train at a very small club, right by my house.”
A qualifier, Sharma’s second round berth means a payday of more than $100k.
It has been reported that Sharma put off her studies to pursue tennis - she has completed a bachelor degree in the US and always planned to defer - and would love to attend medical school with an eye to orthopaedic surgery. But not just yet, setting the record straight.
“The word med school has been thrown around a lot, but I’ve gotten pretty bad grades and stuff in some of my courses,” she laughed.
“It’s like a club player saying they want to be Roger Federer.”.”
‘I can financially support my career now’
Victorian Zoe Hives has been knocked out of the second round of the Australian Open but she’s left the tournament with enough cash not to have to rely on the bank of mum and dad.
The 22-year-old’s exciting campaign came to end with a 6-3 6-3 loss to French 19th seed Carolina Garcia.
Despite the defeat, Hives - who emerged as one of Australia’s surprise new stars after flying through the first round in straight sets - will leave $105,000 richer.
“It’s great now that I will be able to financially support my own career instead of (my parents) having to work all the time and pay for everything,” the wildcard said.
“It just takes the pressure off a lot of things.”
The newfound attention may also help the young gun garner some sponsors - she came into the tournament with no one providing her clothes.
Thompson slam frustrations grow
Jordan Thompson’s quest to advance beyond the second round at a grand slam tournament will extend to at least a 16th major after he was eliminated by Italian Andreas Seppi a on Wednesday.
Seppi won the second-round encounter 6-3 6-4 6-4 on a warm, blustery day.
The 24-year-old Thompson’s win-loss record at majors now sits at 4-15.
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