Inglis knocks out Birrell in another late-night finish
Monfils loses to Sweeny in last Melbourne appearance
Melbourne is known for its unpredictable wind and it blew both ways for Australian tennis fans on Tuesday. Torturous, late-night losses suffered by Daria Kasatkina and Kimberly Birrell came about 12 hours after Maya Joint’s straight-sets defeat, ending the Australian Open ambitions of the three highest ranked local female players.
As the sun comes up on Wednesday morning, however, the country will have six women in the second round, the most at a grand slam since eight progressed at Melbourne Park in 1992. The last to secure their berth was qualifier Maddison Inglis, who defeated compatriot Birrell 7-6 (6), 6-7 (9), 6-4 in an all-Australian clash that lasted three hours and finished after midnight.
Inglis broke down at the match’s conclusion, overcome with emotion after beating her close friend. “The last few days have been a bit stressful,” she said. “I absolutely adore her [Birrell] so it was really hard to see her on the other side, but I’m stoked I could play through those feelings and be in the second round. It means the world.”
