Tamara Zidansek vs Kimberly Birrell Preview & Prediction | 2026 Korea Open | First Round

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Tamara Zidansek takes on Kimberly Birrell in round one of the Korea Open. 

Ranking points: WTA 250

Start date/time: 22 September 2026 at 6:00 am

Venue: Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center, Seoul, South Korea

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Tamara Zidansek vs Kimberly Birrell ticket information

Tamara Zidansek vs Kimberly Birrell prediction

Tamara Zidansek arrives in Seoul after a disappointing first-round exit at the WTA 125 event in Montreux, where she led Tessa Brockmann by a set before losing 4-6 7-6 (4) 6-3. Before that, the Slovenian successfully qualified for the US Open, beating Laura Samson, Guiomar Maristany and Bianca Andreescu. Her main draw campaign ended with a straight sets loss to Maria Timofeeva. Her best WTA Tour result of the season came on her preferred clay in Iasi, as she reached the semi-finals before losing to Paula Badosa.

Kimberly Birrell has not played since progressing to the second-round of the US Open. The Australian recovered from a set down to beat Petra Marcinko before losing to Ekaterina Alexandrova. Birrell had struggled in terms of results before New York, suffering opening round defeats in Toronto, Cincinnati and Monterrey. The 28-year-old’s strongest results this season occurred earlier in the season, with semi-finals in Adelaide and Austin.

Birrell has the superior hard court credentials, but Zidansek’s successful US Open qualifying campaign showed she is capable on the surface. She has also won three of her last five completed matches.

Tamara Zidansek vs Kimberly Birrell tip: Tamara Zidansek to win