Birrell into qualifying semi-finals

GOLD Coast tennis starlet Kim Birrell is a step closer to the Australian Open main draw after cruising into the semi-finals of qualifying.

The 19-year-old, who spent time training at Queens Tennis Club at Southport leading into the Melbourne event, crushed Alexandra Bozovic 6-4, 6-1 yesterday to progress.

Birrell’s progress will be doubly rewarding given the spate of injuries which has blighted her career in recent campaigns.

Meanwhile, top seed Arina Rodionova rated her performance a “two out of 10” performance as she survived a scare before booking her place in the final four.

Rodionova was pushed to three sets by eighth-seeded Queenslander Olivia Tjandramulia before triumphing 6-3, 0-6, 6-4.

Ranked world No.120, the Victorian was unhappy with her second set when her game fell away.

“The match was a two out of 10,” the 27-year-old said after her win.

“I’m in the middle of my training week and also playing this tournament and I didn’t feel the best when I woke up and was pretty sore and needed some pain-killers to get through the morning.”