Kim Birrell has reached the second round of the US Open for the first time in her career after overcoming Croatian Petra Marcinko in a match interrupted by rain and resumed after a 14-hour delay. The Australian also saved a match point before winning 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3. Aleksandar Vukic, meanwhile, was eliminated in five sets by Japan’s Rei Sakamoto.
It was a hard-earned victory, stretched across two days and achieved after Birrell came within one point of elimination.
Kim Birrell defeated Petra Marcinko to claim the first main-draw US Open win of her career.
The 28-year-old Queenslander prevailed 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3, finally ending a run of first-round exits at Flushing Meadows in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Birrell saves match point before rain delay
The match had been suspended because of rain.
Before play was halted, Birrell had already been forced to save a match point in the 12th game of the second set.
She survived and pushed the set into a tiebreak.
When play resumed around 14 hours later, Birrell was still trailing by a set and a mini-break in the tiebreak, but from there she turned the match around.
The Australian recovered, took the second set and then played the more controlled tennis in the decider, closing it out 6-3.
The result was particularly satisfying after Marcinko had beaten her in straight sets on grass at Eastbourne two months earlier.
Alexandrova next for Birrell
Birrell’s reward is a second-round clash with Russian world No.19 Ekaterina Alexandrova.
The victory also guarantees the Australian at least US$190,000, around A$265,000, with the prospect of more if she can advance again.
But the bigger achievement is sporting.
After three straight opening-round defeats in New York, Birrell has finally broken through.
Vukic loses five-set battle
There was no such joy for Aleksandar Vukic.
His match was also interrupted by the weather and later resumed.
Japan’s Rei Sakamoto eventually won a five-set contest 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
When play resumed, Sakamoto was already a break up in the deciding set and quickly closed out the match, winning six consecutive points on serve without giving Vukic a way back.
Two Australians through to round two
Birrell becomes the second Australian woman to reach the next round after Taylah Preston also progressed.
The broader Australian picture remains mixed, however, following the earlier exits of Talia Gibson, Storm Hunter, Adam Walton and now Vukic.
Several Australians are still due to play.
Popyrin faces Dimitrov, Hijikata takes on Auger-Aliassime
Four more Australians are scheduled for day-two action.
Alexei Popyrin faces former US Open semifinalist Grigor Dimitrov, while Rinky Hijikata has a difficult assignment against third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
James Duckworth takes on Italian Matteo Arnaldi, while Maya Joint faces Liudmila Samsonova.
The biggest Australian focus, however, remains on Alex de Minaur, the world No.7 and a three-time US Open quarterfinalist.
He begins his campaign against Italian qualifier Andrea Guerrieri.
After a difficult opening day, Birrell’s win gives Australian tennis some momentum in New York.
