Birrell Battles Through Seoul Double Shift, Sets All-Australian Final With Joint

Kimberly Birrell had to win twice in one day to reach the Korea Open final after rain pushed Friday’s quarterfinals into Saturday, and neither victory came easily. The #2 seed completed her comeback over Katie Volynets, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5, then returned to beat #6 Anna Bondar 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. After six sets of tennis, Birrell saved her best for the finish, winning five straight games to close out Bondar and reach her first final of 2026.

Maya Joint took a much shorter route through her semifinal. The #5 seed led Alina Korneeva 6-2, 1-0 when Korneeva retired with a left thigh injury, sending Joint through to an all-Australian final. Joint had already beaten #3 seed Lanlana Tararudee 6-4, 6-3 earlier Saturday, while Birrell needed three sets twice.