Gold Coast tennis sensation Kimberly Birrell into third round at Australian Open after win over Donna Vekic

Rising Gold Coast tennis star Kimberly Birrell’s giant-killing summer has continued with an upset over Australian Open 29th seed Donna Vekic. And she couldn’t have been more delighted

The Gold Coast’s Kimberly Birrell in action against Donna Vekic of Croatia during day three of the Australian Open in Melbourne today. Picture: AAP

RISING Gold Coast tennis star Kimberly Birrell’s giant-killing summer has continued with an upset over Australian Open 29th seed Donna Vekic to storm into the third round.

Birrell, 20, won her first match at a Major on Monday when she downed qualifier Paula Badosa 6-4 6-2.

The Gold Coast’s Kimberly Birrell (right) shakes hands with Donna Vekic of Croatia after her victory. Picture: AAP

This afternoon Birrell won her second and downed Vekic, a Brisbane International semi-finalist last week, 6-4 4-6 6-1 in one hour and 55 minutes.

“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 to play again. It is crazy.”

Birrell played a blemish-free first set as her parents Ros and John – who run the Queens Park Tennis Centre in Southport – watched on.

Birrell said winning was “surreal”. Picture: AAP

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She was quickly down 0-4 in the second, seemingly going off the boil but hung tough to storm back and forced Vekic to serve it out – which she did 6-4 – to send the match to a deciding set.

Birrell, playing at a level that belied her ranking outside the top 200, went up 5-0 in the third as Vekic started to self-destruct.

Birrell calmly served it out 6-1 winning on her first match point when Vekic dumped a return into the net.

Kimberly Birrell takes a selfie with fans after her victory. Photo: Getty Images

“I am lost for words,” she said. “Thank you so much to everyone who supported me and all the people the familiar faces new ones I have met.

“I’m so proud to be an Aussie and represent my country. I’m grateful for the opportunity. I hope I can do everyone proud.”

It sets up a potential third round showdown against 2016 Australian and US Open champion Angelique Kerber, the number two seed.

“If I do end up playing her … it will be an incredible experience,” Birrell said.

“We will see what happens. Anything can happen. You have to dream big and work really hard and anything can happen.”

At the Brisbane International, Birrell upset top 10 player Daria Kasatkina.

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