Birrell triumphs over her compatriot Joint and wins the WTA 250 in Seoul
The Australian tennis scene secured a winner at the WTA 250 in Seoul, with Kimberly Birrell raising her champion's fist against her compatriot Maya Joint, with a score of 6-4, 6-2 after one hour and 23 minutes of battle. Thus, the Australian succeeds Iga Swiatek as the latest champion and achieves her first WTA title.
Birrell was the best performer of the week in Seoul. First, she debuted with a victory over Tamara Zidansek (7-6(2), 6-4), followed by a comfortable win against Yexin Ma (7-5, 6-3). In the quarter-finals, she had to come back against Katie Volynets (2-6, 6-2, 7-5), and in the semi-finals, she worked hard to overcome Anna Bondar (7-5, 2-6, 6-1).
As for Joint, her path in Seoul went from less to more. She struggled in her debut against Xinxin Yao, where she saved two match points (2-7, 7-6(9), 6-3), but then found no rival until the final. She defeated Dayeon Dack (6-2, 6-1), Lanlana Taraudee (6-4, 6-3), and Alina Korneeva (6-2, 1-0 RET). Until she faced her compatriot, who knocked her out of the title.
A FIRST Tour-level title 🏆
Kimberly Birrell defeats Joint 6-4, 6-2 to clinch the trophy in Seoul!#KoreaOpen pic.twitter.com/3UwcJNcxEJ— wta (@WTA) September 27, 2026
Kimberly Birrell leaves Seoul with her first title and her highest spot in the WTA ranking
As for the WTA ranking, Birrell's first professional title gains her 19 spots, placing her in her best position in the standings as number 41 in the world. Meanwhile, Joint, who started the tournament on the edge of the Top 100, specifically at 99th, rises 24 positions to 75th place.
The next tournament for both Australians will be the WTA 1000 in China, although they will face the best female players in the world like Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula. Following that will be the WTA 1000 in Wuhan.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Birrell se impone a su compatriota Joint y gana el WTA 250 de Seúl