Gold Coast's Kim Birrell has pulled off the first major upset of Brisbane International 2019, defeating World No.10 Daria Kasatkina in three sets.
The World No.283 entered the tournament as a wild card before fighting back from 3-5 down in the final set to secure her first victory over a top 10-opponent, winning 5-7 6-4 7-6(5) in three hours and eight minutes.
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"I'm in shock, I can't believe it," the 20-year-old told Channel Nine after the match.
"It's so important to stay positive and believe in yourself, I just left it all out there.
"(Kasatkina) is a really good player and I've looked up to her for a very long time.
"I knew that it was going to be a very physical match and I can't believe I won.
"To have my (first) top ten win where I train everyday means the world and I will never forget this moment."
SHE'S DONE IT!
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) December 31, 2018
QUEENSLANDER Kim Birrell (World Number 283) causes a major upset against the World Number 10 Daria Kasatkina at the Brisbane International!#UpsetAlert #BrisbaneTennis #9WWOS #Tennis pic.twitter.com/BUTyRAkPma
The victory marks her second WTA main draw win and will face 2013 semi-finallist Lesia Tsurenko in the second round.
The Queensland native also claimed the women's wildcard for the Australian Open earlier this month, overcming Astra Sharma 6-4 6-2.
Fellow Australian Destanee Aiava also reached the second round of the Brisbane International after defeating France's Kristina Mladenovic in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(3).
The 18-year-old will meet second seed Naomi Osaka in the second round.