Thrills and Upsets at Brisbane International: Local Hero Kimberly Birrell Shines

Grigor Dimitrov broke through to the quarter-finals at the Brisbane International while local wildcard Kimberly Birrell stunned second seed Emma Navarro. Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios were eliminated in doubles, and Daria Kasatkina won a grueling three-set match against Peyton Stearns.

Grigor Dimitrov remains steadfast in his title defense, advancing to the Brisbane International quarter-finals after defeating Australia's Aleksandar Vukic. In contrast, women's second seed Emma Navarro faced a surprise defeat by local favorite Kimberly Birrell.

The vibrant crowd at Pat Rafter Arena witnessed Birrell's remarkable 7-5, 7-5 victory over Navarro, making for an unforgettable match for the hometown favorite. 'To play here and win is special,' said an emotional Birrell, reflecting on her deep connection with the venue.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios, partnered in the doubles event, were narrowly ousted by Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus. Despite a close match, an unfortunate double fault from the pair led to their defeat. Elsewhere, Daria Kasatkina battled to a hard-fought victory over Peyton Stearns.

(With inputs from agencies.)