FAR NORTH TOP LAUNCHING PAD

THE Cairns Tennis International produces top players. Every year, emerging youngsters battle it out in the Far North before taking their talents to Melbourne to play the best in the world. Astra Sharma (right), Marc Polmans, Alex Bolt, Jason Kubler and Kimberly Birrell all played in Cairns in the last few years. WILDCARD Kimberly Birrell (pictured) squared off with world No.2 and reigning Wimbledon champ Angelique Kerber in the third round of the Open last night. She plays with an “anything’s possible” attitude following her giantkilling summer. REIGNING Cairns champion Astra Sharma suffered a straight-sets Australian Open exit at the hands of Maria Sakkari. Greece’s Sakkari sits almost 200 spots higher than Sharma in the world rankings and advanced from their second-round meeting with a 6-1 6-4 triumph. ALEX Bolt clinched the biggest win of his career on Thursday night. The 26-yearold toppled 29th seed Gilles Simon in five sets — 2-6 6-4 4-6 7-6 6-4 — sparking wild celebrations from the energetic Aussie on court three. “This is the best thing I have ever experienced in my life,” the world No.155 said.