Aussie Kim Birrell becomes first player knocked out of 2025 Wimbledon championships
The 27-year-old, making her debut at the grass court slam, never recovered from a nervy start in which she surrendered the first set to No.22 seed Donna Vekic.
Any thoughts that she might benefit from a London heatwave that had spectators seeking any shade they could find had quickly evaporated.
A much-improved battling second set prompted hope, at 4-4, of forcing a third, but the experienced Croatian then took the last two games to complete a 6-0, 6-4 victory in 79 minutes.
Birrell, who saved one match point but then sent a forehand long on the second, left the English capital with some hard-earned experience and £66,000 ($A138,500) as her reward for battling through qualifying.
She was the first of seven Australians in the women's singles with Olivia Gadecki, Ajla Tomljanovic and Tahlia Gibson due on court later on Monday.
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28 minutes ago
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Australian Open champ joins Wimbledon seeds cull
Madison Keys' dream of completing a famous double is over as the Australian Open champ became the 18th women's seed and latest grand slam champion to be dumped out of this shock-laden Wimbledon. The sixth-seeded American was sent crashing on American Independence Day 6-3 6-3 by the tough German veteran Laura Siegmund as she became the fifth of the top-six seeds, and sixth out of the top-10, to be sent spinning out of the event on Friday. Keys had been out to become the first player since Amelie Mauresmo, in 2006, to pull off the AO-Wimbledon double but the world No.104 Siegemund, playing some of her best tennis at 37, was in inspired mood in the sunshine on No.2 Court. She outplayed the big-hitting American and even when getting nervous with the winning line in sight, held her nerve. "If you don't have nerves, then you're probably dead!" she joked with the crowd afterwards. "I only play for myself, I don't feel like I need to prove anything any more - my boyfriend tells me that," beamed Siegemund, now the oldest player left in the women's draw. "It's important to remember the core of why you are doing this. I'm playing for me and I don't feel pressure this way." She'll next play Solana Sierra, who became the first woman 'lucky loser' to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, beating Spain's Cristina Bucsa 7-5 1-6 6-1. How must this have made Australian Talia Gibson feel? She had knocked out Sierra out in the final match of qualifying, only to get knocked out in the first round herself. Meanwhile, her Argentine victim Sierra got a reprieve and was brought into the draw as a 'lucky loser' and has since won three matches, knocking out another Australian Olivia Gadecki in the opening round and Alex de Minaur's British fiancee Katie Boulter in the second. Earlier, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka's hope of finally getting to the last-16 of a slam that's she's never mastered fell short as she surrendered a one-set lead to go down 3-6 6-4 6-4 to former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The former world No.1, who's been a two-time champion at both the US Open and Australian Open, hadn't been in the last-32 for seven years She looked set to claim a small piece of personal history before failing to capitalise on two break points at 4-4 in set two and subsequently going down 3-6 6-4 6-4. Pavlyuchenkova, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist nine years ago, will next take on the soaring Briton Sonay Kartal, who had the home crowd cheering on No.1 Court as she defeated French qualifier Diane Parry 6-4 6-2 to make the last-16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old Kartal, ranked 298 this time last year, will now break into the top 50 and could even finish the tournament as British No.1, ahead of the Emma Raducanu and Boulter. American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova at least avoided the cull of seeds, as she beat Hungary's Dalma Galfi 6-3 5-7 6-3. Madison Keys' dream of completing a famous double is over as the Australian Open champ became the 18th women's seed and latest grand slam champion to be dumped out of this shock-laden Wimbledon. The sixth-seeded American was sent crashing on American Independence Day 6-3 6-3 by the tough German veteran Laura Siegmund as she became the fifth of the top-six seeds, and sixth out of the top-10, to be sent spinning out of the event on Friday. Keys had been out to become the first player since Amelie Mauresmo, in 2006, to pull off the AO-Wimbledon double but the world No.104 Siegemund, playing some of her best tennis at 37, was in inspired mood in the sunshine on No.2 Court. She outplayed the big-hitting American and even when getting nervous with the winning line in sight, held her nerve. "If you don't have nerves, then you're probably dead!" she joked with the crowd afterwards. "I only play for myself, I don't feel like I need to prove anything any more - my boyfriend tells me that," beamed Siegemund, now the oldest player left in the women's draw. "It's important to remember the core of why you are doing this. I'm playing for me and I don't feel pressure this way." She'll next play Solana Sierra, who became the first woman 'lucky loser' to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, beating Spain's Cristina Bucsa 7-5 1-6 6-1. How must this have made Australian Talia Gibson feel? She had knocked out Sierra out in the final match of qualifying, only to get knocked out in the first round herself. Meanwhile, her Argentine victim Sierra got a reprieve and was brought into the draw as a 'lucky loser' and has since won three matches, knocking out another Australian Olivia Gadecki in the opening round and Alex de Minaur's British fiancee Katie Boulter in the second. Earlier, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka's hope of finally getting to the last-16 of a slam that's she's never mastered fell short as she surrendered a one-set lead to go down 3-6 6-4 6-4 to former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The former world No.1, who's been a two-time champion at both the US Open and Australian Open, hadn't been in the last-32 for seven years She looked set to claim a small piece of personal history before failing to capitalise on two break points at 4-4 in set two and subsequently going down 3-6 6-4 6-4. Pavlyuchenkova, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist nine years ago, will next take on the soaring Briton Sonay Kartal, who had the home crowd cheering on No.1 Court as she defeated French qualifier Diane Parry 6-4 6-2 to make the last-16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old Kartal, ranked 298 this time last year, will now break into the top 50 and could even finish the tournament as British No.1, ahead of the Emma Raducanu and Boulter. American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova at least avoided the cull of seeds, as she beat Hungary's Dalma Galfi 6-3 5-7 6-3. Madison Keys' dream of completing a famous double is over as the Australian Open champ became the 18th women's seed and latest grand slam champion to be dumped out of this shock-laden Wimbledon. The sixth-seeded American was sent crashing on American Independence Day 6-3 6-3 by the tough German veteran Laura Siegmund as she became the fifth of the top-six seeds, and sixth out of the top-10, to be sent spinning out of the event on Friday. Keys had been out to become the first player since Amelie Mauresmo, in 2006, to pull off the AO-Wimbledon double but the world No.104 Siegemund, playing some of her best tennis at 37, was in inspired mood in the sunshine on No.2 Court. She outplayed the big-hitting American and even when getting nervous with the winning line in sight, held her nerve. "If you don't have nerves, then you're probably dead!" she joked with the crowd afterwards. "I only play for myself, I don't feel like I need to prove anything any more - my boyfriend tells me that," beamed Siegemund, now the oldest player left in the women's draw. "It's important to remember the core of why you are doing this. I'm playing for me and I don't feel pressure this way." She'll next play Solana Sierra, who became the first woman 'lucky loser' to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, beating Spain's Cristina Bucsa 7-5 1-6 6-1. How must this have made Australian Talia Gibson feel? She had knocked out Sierra out in the final match of qualifying, only to get knocked out in the first round herself. Meanwhile, her Argentine victim Sierra got a reprieve and was brought into the draw as a 'lucky loser' and has since won three matches, knocking out another Australian Olivia Gadecki in the opening round and Alex de Minaur's British fiancee Katie Boulter in the second. Earlier, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka's hope of finally getting to the last-16 of a slam that's she's never mastered fell short as she surrendered a one-set lead to go down 3-6 6-4 6-4 to former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The former world No.1, who's been a two-time champion at both the US Open and Australian Open, hadn't been in the last-32 for seven years She looked set to claim a small piece of personal history before failing to capitalise on two break points at 4-4 in set two and subsequently going down 3-6 6-4 6-4. Pavlyuchenkova, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist nine years ago, will next take on the soaring Briton Sonay Kartal, who had the home crowd cheering on No.1 Court as she defeated French qualifier Diane Parry 6-4 6-2 to make the last-16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old Kartal, ranked 298 this time last year, will now break into the top 50 and could even finish the tournament as British No.1, ahead of the Emma Raducanu and Boulter. American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova at least avoided the cull of seeds, as she beat Hungary's Dalma Galfi 6-3 5-7 6-3. Madison Keys' dream of completing a famous double is over as the Australian Open champ became the 18th women's seed and latest grand slam champion to be dumped out of this shock-laden Wimbledon. The sixth-seeded American was sent crashing on American Independence Day 6-3 6-3 by the tough German veteran Laura Siegmund as she became the fifth of the top-six seeds, and sixth out of the top-10, to be sent spinning out of the event on Friday. Keys had been out to become the first player since Amelie Mauresmo, in 2006, to pull off the AO-Wimbledon double but the world No.104 Siegemund, playing some of her best tennis at 37, was in inspired mood in the sunshine on No.2 Court. She outplayed the big-hitting American and even when getting nervous with the winning line in sight, held her nerve. "If you don't have nerves, then you're probably dead!" she joked with the crowd afterwards. "I only play for myself, I don't feel like I need to prove anything any more - my boyfriend tells me that," beamed Siegemund, now the oldest player left in the women's draw. "It's important to remember the core of why you are doing this. I'm playing for me and I don't feel pressure this way." She'll next play Solana Sierra, who became the first woman 'lucky loser' to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, beating Spain's Cristina Bucsa 7-5 1-6 6-1. How must this have made Australian Talia Gibson feel? She had knocked out Sierra out in the final match of qualifying, only to get knocked out in the first round herself. Meanwhile, her Argentine victim Sierra got a reprieve and was brought into the draw as a 'lucky loser' and has since won three matches, knocking out another Australian Olivia Gadecki in the opening round and Alex de Minaur's British fiancee Katie Boulter in the second. Earlier, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka's hope of finally getting to the last-16 of a slam that's she's never mastered fell short as she surrendered a one-set lead to go down 3-6 6-4 6-4 to former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. The former world No.1, who's been a two-time champion at both the US Open and Australian Open, hadn't been in the last-32 for seven years She looked set to claim a small piece of personal history before failing to capitalise on two break points at 4-4 in set two and subsequently going down 3-6 6-4 6-4. Pavlyuchenkova, a Wimbledon quarter-finalist nine years ago, will next take on the soaring Briton Sonay Kartal, who had the home crowd cheering on No.1 Court as she defeated French qualifier Diane Parry 6-4 6-2 to make the last-16 of a grand slam for the first time in her career. The 23-year-old Kartal, ranked 298 this time last year, will now break into the top 50 and could even finish the tournament as British No.1, ahead of the Emma Raducanu and Boulter. American 13th seed Amanda Anisimova at least avoided the cull of seeds, as she beat Hungary's Dalma Galfi 6-3 5-7 6-3.
The Advertiser
29 minutes ago
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Cummins' brilliant catch gives Australia early impetus
Australia have made two early breakthroughs but then been held up by West Indies on the second morning of the second Test in Grenada. When opener Kraigg Brathwaite fell without scoring off the 11th ball of the day, caught and bowled by Josh Hazlewood, it was just the tonic the tourists needed. And when Keacy Carty was dismissed by Pat Cummins, also caught and bowled, for six in the ninth over, it seemed the Aussie attack was about to inflict serious damage. It was a magnificent moment for the Australia captain, the ball hanging in the air for a seeming eternity before it began to fall to where a bat pad would have been. Cummins made ground in his follow through and timed his dive perfectly to complete the catch. It got even better when John Campbell, the other opener, was sent back to the pavilion, caught by Mitchell Starc off Beau Webster after a brisk 40 that included five boundaries. Left-hander Campbell tried to loft over the leg side but could only lob the ball high into the air and straight down the throat of Starc at mid-on. West Indies stood on a fragile-looking 3-64. But then the home side steadied, losing no more wickets before reaching lunch on 3-110 from 28 overs. Brandon King (39) and Roston Chase (16) steadied the West Indies with a 46-run fourth-wicket stand. It is a pivotal match for the Australians, who have set their sights on a victory that would give them an unassailable 2-0 series advantage. They spent the entire first day compiling a first-innings of 286 after Cummins won the toss and inserted his side. Webster and Alex Carey contributed half centuries but Australia were constrained by Alzarri Joseph's 4-61. Australia have made two early breakthroughs but then been held up by West Indies on the second morning of the second Test in Grenada. When opener Kraigg Brathwaite fell without scoring off the 11th ball of the day, caught and bowled by Josh Hazlewood, it was just the tonic the tourists needed. And when Keacy Carty was dismissed by Pat Cummins, also caught and bowled, for six in the ninth over, it seemed the Aussie attack was about to inflict serious damage. It was a magnificent moment for the Australia captain, the ball hanging in the air for a seeming eternity before it began to fall to where a bat pad would have been. Cummins made ground in his follow through and timed his dive perfectly to complete the catch. It got even better when John Campbell, the other opener, was sent back to the pavilion, caught by Mitchell Starc off Beau Webster after a brisk 40 that included five boundaries. Left-hander Campbell tried to loft over the leg side but could only lob the ball high into the air and straight down the throat of Starc at mid-on. West Indies stood on a fragile-looking 3-64. But then the home side steadied, losing no more wickets before reaching lunch on 3-110 from 28 overs. Brandon King (39) and Roston Chase (16) steadied the West Indies with a 46-run fourth-wicket stand. It is a pivotal match for the Australians, who have set their sights on a victory that would give them an unassailable 2-0 series advantage. They spent the entire first day compiling a first-innings of 286 after Cummins won the toss and inserted his side. Webster and Alex Carey contributed half centuries but Australia were constrained by Alzarri Joseph's 4-61. Australia have made two early breakthroughs but then been held up by West Indies on the second morning of the second Test in Grenada. When opener Kraigg Brathwaite fell without scoring off the 11th ball of the day, caught and bowled by Josh Hazlewood, it was just the tonic the tourists needed. And when Keacy Carty was dismissed by Pat Cummins, also caught and bowled, for six in the ninth over, it seemed the Aussie attack was about to inflict serious damage. It was a magnificent moment for the Australia captain, the ball hanging in the air for a seeming eternity before it began to fall to where a bat pad would have been. Cummins made ground in his follow through and timed his dive perfectly to complete the catch. It got even better when John Campbell, the other opener, was sent back to the pavilion, caught by Mitchell Starc off Beau Webster after a brisk 40 that included five boundaries. Left-hander Campbell tried to loft over the leg side but could only lob the ball high into the air and straight down the throat of Starc at mid-on. West Indies stood on a fragile-looking 3-64. But then the home side steadied, losing no more wickets before reaching lunch on 3-110 from 28 overs. Brandon King (39) and Roston Chase (16) steadied the West Indies with a 46-run fourth-wicket stand. It is a pivotal match for the Australians, who have set their sights on a victory that would give them an unassailable 2-0 series advantage. They spent the entire first day compiling a first-innings of 286 after Cummins won the toss and inserted his side. Webster and Alex Carey contributed half centuries but Australia were constrained by Alzarri Joseph's 4-61.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
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Cummins' brilliant catch gives Australia early impetus
Australia have made two early breakthroughs but then been held up by West Indies on the second morning of the second Test in Grenada. When opener Kraigg Brathwaite fell without scoring off the 11th ball of the day, caught and bowled by Josh Hazlewood, it was just the tonic the tourists needed. And when Keacy Carty was dismissed by Pat Cummins, also caught and bowled, for six in the ninth over, it seemed the Aussie attack was about to inflict serious damage. It was a magnificent moment for the Australia captain, the ball hanging in the air for a seeming eternity before it began to fall to where a bat pad would have been. Cummins made ground in his follow through and timed his dive perfectly to complete the catch. It got even better when John Campbell, the other opener, was sent back to the pavilion, caught by Mitchell Starc off Beau Webster after a brisk 40 that included five boundaries. Left-hander Campbell tried to loft over the leg side but could only lob the ball high into the air and straight down the throat of Starc at mid-on. West Indies stood on a fragile-looking 3-64. But then the home side steadied, losing no more wickets before reaching lunch on 3-110 from 28 overs. Brandon King (39) and Roston Chase (16) steadied the West Indies with a 46-run fourth-wicket stand. It is a pivotal match for the Australians, who have set their sights on a victory that would give them an unassailable 2-0 series advantage. They spent the entire first day compiling a first-innings of 286 after Cummins won the toss and inserted his side. Webster and Alex Carey contributed half centuries but Australia were constrained by Alzarri Joseph's 4-61.
