Timely double shot
Coast’s Tomic, Birrell rediscover title thirst
GOLD Coast tennis is riding high with two big titles in one day for a resurgent Bernard Tomic and Kim Birrell.
Tomic snapped his threeyear main ATP tour title drought yesterday by winning China’s Chengdu Open. On the same day, Birrell won the Darwin Tennis International, a second-tier Challenger event.
An emotional Tomic teared up after saving four championship points to beat world No.13 Fabio Fognini in the final 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7), a victory propelling him from 123 to 77 in the world.
Birrell, 20, who has been hampered by injury but is having a fulltime crack at the tour, won five matches in straight sets to take out the Darwin title.
She beat 265-ranked Ellen Perez 6-3, 6-3 in the final. Her run included a win against fellow Australian Olivia Rogowska, ranked 157, and sees Birrell surge back inside the world’s top 300.
Both Tomic and Birrell spent plenty of hours training when growing up on the courts of Southport’s Queen’s Park Tennis Centre, now run by Birrell’s parents.
Thrilled Tennis Gold Coast president Mike Ford said it was exciting to see the results, especially after Tomic’s slump and Birrell’s injury layoff.
“For Bernie, he is showing not only to himself but the world that his best tennis is ahead of him,” Ford said.
“Kim has always had high energy, works hard on her skills and is persistent so this is a good opportunity for her to launch from and she’s physically fine.”
Tomic, speaking on court after his big win, said: “I played really well all week, I’m so happy I won.
“I was supposed to lose in qualifying in the second round to Gerasimov, I was down 3-0, 4-0 in the tiebreak third set. I was down Centre Court here first round (against Bradley Klahn). I was down match points in the second round (to Lloyd Harris).
“I saved I don’t know how many match points this week.”
Birrell, who now focuses on a Brisbane tournament, said: “I’m just enjoying playing without any niggles. I’ve worked really hard to get to this point and that’s something I’m really proud of.”
Tennis Gold Coast’s annual awards night is October 13 at Southport Golf Club. Tickets are $75 with dinner. Brisbane star Ash Barty’s father Rob Barty is a guest speaker.