Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell Preview & Prediction | 2026 Australian Open | First Round

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Maddison Inglis takes on Kimberly Birrell in the first-round of the Australian Open.

Start date/time:

Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell ticket information

Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell prediction

Maddison Inglis qualified for the tournament after three wins in a row. She needed three sets to beat Leyre Romero Gomez and Claire Liu, before a more comfortable win in the third stage against Tamara Korpatsch. The 28-year-old is ranked outside the top 170 of the world rankings. She was a threat on the ITF circuit last season, making two finals, but she wasn’t able to pick up a title. 

She faces Kimberly Birrell. The Australian began her season in Brisbane but lost in the second-round after a straight sets defeat to world number three Amanda Anisimova. She fared better in Adelaide, making it to the quarter-finals, though she did lose heavily to Victoria Mboko in their last eight match.

They have played each other on seven previous occasions, with Birrell winning five of them. She will take confidence from her performance levels in Adelaide and has the quality to get the job done here.

Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell tip: Kimberly Birrell to win