Yexin Ma vs Kimberly Birrell Preview & Prediction | 2026 Korea Open | Round of 16

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Kimberly Birrell takes on Yexin Ma in Seoul. 

Ranking points: WTA 250

Start date/time: 24 September 2026 at 4:00 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 Yexin Ma vs Kimberly Birrell ticket information

Yexin Ma vs Kimberly Birrell prediction

Yexin Ma continued her excellent week in Seoul by coming from a set down to beat Emerson Jones. The Chinese qualifier completely transformed the match after dropping the opening set, conceding only two games across the final two to win 3-6 6-0 6-2. She has now won three matches at the Korea Open after also cruising through qualifying.

Her next opponent is Kimberly Birrell. The Australian made a successful start to her campaign with a straight sets win over Tamara Zidansek. The second seed had entered Seoul following a difficult spell in which she lost four of her previous five matches, but she handled a competitive opener in one hour and 59 minutes, winning 7-6 (2) 6-4. Birrell’s best WTA result of 2026 came at the Adelaide International, where she reached the semi-finals.

Ma leads the head-to-head 2-1 and won their most recent encounter in Memphis less than two months ago. Birrell is the higher ranked player and the number two seed, but Ma is enjoying a strong run so far this week.

Yexin Ma vs Kimberly Birrell tip: Yexin Ma to win