Aussie underdog Kim Birrell stuns Kaia Kanepi at AO

At the AO, Kim Birrell, an underdog Australian, surprises Kaia Kanepi.

167 in the world Kim Birrell has persevered to put the seasoned Kaia Kanepi under pressure, eliminating the part-time ice road trucker in the opening round of the Australian Open.

In two and a half hours at Melbourne Park as the temperature surged beyond 35 degrees, Birrell defeated the Estonian No. 31 seed, who had the match on the line at 5-4 in the second set, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), and 6-1.

The 24-year-old joined Olivia Gadecki, who defeated Russian Polina Kudermetova on Monday, as one of just two Australian women to make it to the second round of their home slam this year.

During a large portion of the decisive set on Tuesday, Kanepi, 37, appeared to prefer being back in her own country—or anywhere else, really—than squabbling with Birrell in the scorching heat of Kia Arena. Kanepi drives trucks in her home country as a hobby.

Birrell reached the third round of the 2019 Australian Open, earning her only two prior grand slam triumphs.

Given that she has recently struggled with several significant ailments, Tuesday's victory was even more thrilling.Even without this victory today, according to Birrell, "it was all worthwhile."

"I'm living the dream, doing what I love."Birrell made the most of her last-minute wildcard into the 2023 competition, which was only made available after former world No. 1 Venus Williams gave it back after sustaining a leg injury at the warm-up event in Auckland.

Seven times at the majors, Kanepi has advanced to the quarterfinals, most recently in 2017 at Melbourne Park.On Tuesday, it appeared like Birrell's vast amount of experience in important matches would finally pay off, but she turned the tide and broke back for a tie score before maintaining her composure in the tiebreaker to force a decision.

Sincerely, Birrell said, "I was trying not to worry about it."Congratulations to her on all of her accomplishments, but I'm simply thrilled that I won today and will be able to play here once more.

Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic, who on Tuesday defeated fellow Australian wildcard Jaimee Fourlis 6-0, 6-4, will be Birrell's opponent in the second round.

Storm Hunter and Talia Gibson, two countrywomen, were eliminated on the first day.Ajla Tomljanovic, the top-ranked female player from Australia, had to withdraw from the competition two days prior to the start of the competition due to a knee injury.