Melbourne, Australia, 14 January 2022 | Leigh Rogers

Aussie wildcard Kimberly Birrell’s Australian Open 2022 qualifying run is over.

The 23-year-old’s quest to earn a coveted main draw spot fell just short, losing to Brit Harriet Dart in final qualifying round action today at Melbourne Park.

Dart’s 6-3 6-3 victory ends an impressive effort from world No.664 Birrell, who was contesting only her second professional tournament in more than 10 months after being sidelined with a right elbow injury.

> READ: Grateful Birrell enjoying AO qualifying run

After a delayed start due to rain this morning, both players traded breaks in the opening three games at Court 3.

It was world No.125 Dart who held first, moving ahead 3-1. But Birrell quickly bounced back, winning the next two games to level.

Both players wrested for control with some exceptional shot-making and thrilling rallies in an entertaining 47-minute opening set, striking nine winners each. However, Birrell’s 18 unforced errors proved costly compared to Dart’s 11.

This helped No.11-seeded Dart capture the final three games and take a one-set lead.

A determined Birrell fought back early in the second set, breaking in both the third and fifth games. But each time, was unable to consolidate.

As Dart’s confidence grew, the 25-year-old Brit reeled off four consecutive games to seal victory in one hour and 45 minutes.

Despite the loss, Birrell can take many positives from a career-best run in a Grand Slam qualifying draw.

“I think I’ve had a really great week considering all of the adversity I went through last year. To even step out on the court and play one match was amazing,” the former world No.154 said.

“To get to play three, I’m super proud of myself and the way that I’ve performed. I’ll definitely take a lot of positives out of my last two matches and even today, even though the result didn’t go my way, hopefully this has set me up for a really positive year.”

Australian Open 2022

TODAY’S RESULTS
Women’s qualifying singles, final round
[11] Harriet Dart (GBR) d [WC] Kimberly Birrell (AUS) 6-3 6-3

Men’s qualifying singles, final round
[2] Norbert Gombos (SVK) d Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-7(3) 7-6(5) 7-6(8)

COMING UP
Women’s singles, first round
[1] Ash Barty (AUS) v [Q] Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v [8] Paula Badosa (ESP)
Astra Sharma (AUS) v Clara Tauson (DEN)
[WC] Storm Sanders (AUS) v [2] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR)
[WC] Maddison Inglis (AUS) v [23] Leylah Fernandez (CAN)
[WC] Priscilla Hon (AUS) v [31] Marketa Vondrousova (CZE)
[WC] Daria Saville (AUS) v Rebecca Peterson (SWE)
[WC] Sam Stosur (AUS) v [WC] Robin Anderson (USA)

> READ: Australian Open 2022 singles main draws revealed

Men’s singles, first round
[32] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v Lorenzo Musetti (ITA)
James Duckworth (AUS) v Adrian Mannarino (FRA)
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v Arthur Rinderknech (FRA)
Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Steve Johnson (USA)
John Millman (AUS) v Feliciano Lopez (ESP)
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v [Q] Liam Broady (GBR)
[WC] Alex Bolt (AUS) v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)
[WC] Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v [Q] Yannick Hanfmann (GER)
[WC] Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) v [30] Lloyd Harris (RSA)
[WC] Chris O’Connell (AUS) v Hugo Gaston (FRA)

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