Grigor Dimitrov advanced to the quarter-finals at the Brisbane International on Wednesday, keeping his title defense on track, while women’s second seed Emma Navarro faced a surprising defeat against local wildcard Kimberly Birrell.
Dimitrov Cruises Past Vukic
Two-time Brisbane champion Dimitrov defeated Australian wildcard Aleksandar Vukic 6-2, 7-6(5). Despite a late surge from Vukic, Dimitrov maintained his composure to seal the win.
“It feels like a home atmosphere here. It’s not just a tournament for me,” the Bulgarian said. “The excitement is different, and my attitude changes. This week is very special.”
Birrell’s Career-Defining Victory
Local favorite Kimberly Birrell delighted fans at Pat Rafter Arena by pulling off the biggest win of her career, overcoming Navarro 7-5, 7-5. Egged on by an energetic crowd, the 113th-ranked Birrell displayed remarkable resilience, breaking Navarro’s serve twice to close out each set.
“I’ve spent countless hours on this court since childhood,” the 26-year-old said. “To play here in front of a home crowd is incredibly special.”
Djokovic-Kyrgios Doubles Campaign Ends
The doubles pairing of Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios was eliminated after a narrow 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 loss to top seeds Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus. Despite pushing the match to a thrilling tie-break, a late double fault proved costly for the duo.
“Down three points in the tie-break, it didn’t look good, but we fought back,” Venus said. “Mekta hit a great return on match point to seal it.”
Kyrgios, making his return after wrist surgery, also faced an early exit in men’s singles on Tuesday, losing to Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
As the Brisbane International unfolds, the competition intensifies, with players battling for a chance to lift the prestigious title.
