Kimberly Birrell has carried the momentum of qualifying into a marquee win in Eastbourne, taking down two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova at the WTA 250 tournament.
Birrell, ranked world No.73 compared to No.37 Krejcikova, required one hour and 51 minutes to complete the 6-3 7-6(6) win.
Krejcikova was crowned Roland Garros champion in 2021 and broke through to become the fifth Czech woman of the Open era to lift the Wimbledon women’s singles trophy in 2024.
Far from intimidated against the seasoned grasscourt contender, Birrell established early authority as she took a 4-0 lead. While she surrendered a service break in the sixth game, the Queenslander was largely untroubled in securing the first set.
The second set was a tighter contest – Birrell and Krejcikova each dropping serve twice – but the Queenslander held her nerve against the No.4 seed to set a round of 16 meeting with Croatia’s Petra Marcinko, who entered the draw as a lucky loser.
It followed Birrell’s earlier victories over British wildcard Indianna Spink and American Petyon Stearns in the qualifying tournament.
At Roland Garros last month, the 28-year-old Australian stunned Jessica Pegula in the opening round to claim her first win over a top-five opponent.
Ajla Tomljanovic has also hit some grasscourt form at the WTA tournament, with the Australian preparing to take on Czech Tereza Valentova in the second round after a gritty three-set win over Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
It was a tougher day for Talia Gibson in Eastbourne, who fell to No.2 seed Madison Keys, a 6-4 6-4 winner.
Fellow Australian Aleksandar Vukic also suffered a straight-sets loss in the ATP tournament at Eastbourne, exiting to American Jenson Brooksby.
READ Rinky Hijikata enjoys post-Queen's rankings boost
In Mallorca, Aussie qualifier Marc Polmans found some rhythm against Grigor Dimitrov before the experienced Bulgarian sealed a 6-1 7-6(3) victory.
Adam Walton will play his second-round match at the grasscourt tournament in Spain on Tuesday.
After a straight-sets win over Nick Kyrgios in the opening round, Walton faces No.2 seed Alexander Davidovich Fokina.
Watch the ATP and WTA tours LIVE & ON-DEMAND on beIN SPORTS.