Kimberly Birrell Upsets Emma Navarro at Brisbane

Australian wildcard Kimberly Birrell achieved a remarkable upset by defeating second seed Emma Navarro, ranked eighth in the world, in straight sets at the Brisbane International. Birrell, who is currently ranked 113, showcased a confident performance and will next face 35th-ranked Anastasia Potapova. Defending men's champion Grigor Dimitrov also advanced to the quarter-finals after a straight-sets victory over fellow Australian wildcard Aleksandar Vukic. Dimitrov, now with 25 wins in Brisbane, expressed his intent to improve with each match. Despite high expectations for Navarro, who had a strong 2024 season, Birrell's underdog spirit prevailed. The tournament continues to draw attention as players aim for a spot in the last four.