Kim Birrell Saves Match Point, Wins First US Open Match
After three straight first-round losses, Australian tennis player Kim Birrell finally broke through at the US Open, saving a match point and battling through a rain delay to reach the second round. Fellow Aussies James Duckworth and Maya Joint also advanced with comeback victories in New York.
Sometimes the fourth time really is the charm, and Kim Birrell proved it on the courts of Flushing Meadows.
The 27-year-old from Queensland saved a match point and survived a 14-hour rain delay to defeat Croatia's Petra Marcinko 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 in the US Open first round. After losing all three of her previous opening matches at the tournament since 2023, Birrell finally got her breakthrough moment.
The match didn't come easy. Birrell was down a set and trailing in the tiebreaker when play stopped Sunday night due to rain, forcing her back to her hotel for a restless night's sleep before returning to finish the job Monday.
The win is extra sweet considering Birrell lost to the same opponent just two months ago at Eastbourne. Now she's guaranteed at least $265,000 in prize money and a second-round match against Russian world number 19 Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Birrell wasn't the only Australian celebrating in New York. Veteran James Duckworth, 34, pulled off an impressive upset over French Open semifinalist Matteo Arnaldi, the tournament's 30th seed, winning 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 after dropping the opening set.
The comeback victory means Duckworth has now reached the second round at all four grand slam tournaments. He's currently ranked Australian number two behind only world number seven Alex de Minaur.
Maya Joint also joined the winners' circle, fighting back from a set down to beat former world number 12 Liudmila Samsonova 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. The win marks Joint's third consecutive year reaching the second round at the US Open.
Why This Inspires
These victories showcase something bigger than tennis rankings. Birrell's three years of first-round disappointments could have crushed her spirit, but she kept showing up and fighting. Duckworth, at 34 in a young player's sport, continues proving age is just a number when you have determination.
Their success reminds us that persistence pays off, even when the odds look tough and the rain won't stop falling.
More Aussies continue their campaigns Tuesday, with sixth seed Alex de Minaur opening his title quest against Italian qualifier Andrea Guerrieri.
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Based on reporting by ABC Australia
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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