Gadecki again defeats Birrell to move into the ACT Clay Court International final

Olivia Gadecki and Kimberly Birrell faced each other for the third time in four tournaments, this time at the semi final stage at the ACT Clay Court International #1 in Canberra.

Back a few tournaments ago Gadecki defeated Birrell in three sets at the W25 in Canberra on hard courts. They met again at the following tournament in Bendigo, again a first round win in three set for Gadecki.

In the previous matches Gadecki had won the first set, this time in Canberra it was Birrell that cruised to a 6-0 opening set.

After that it was all Gadecki, she broke in the third and fifth games of the second set before serving it out for 6-1.

The 19-year-old then repeated that in the deciding set to take the match 0-6, 6-1, 6-2.

The head-to-head with Birrell now stands at 3-0.

Birrell had reached the semi final after a gruelling quarter final match that she won in 3 hours and 41 minutes against Korea’s Jang Su Jeong.

Gadecki, the world no. 202 will face Japan’s world no. 282 Moyuka Uchijima in the final, the Australian leads their head-to-head 3-0.

The two players met twice in Bendigo at the recent tournaments at the start of the month. Gadecki winning both in straight sets on the hard courts.

In the semi finals Uchijima defeated countrywoman Kurumi Nara 7-5, 6-4. Nara was up 5-2 in the first set but twice failed to serve out the first set.

Both players are aiming for their first title at this level.

View more photos from the tournament at https://www.robiciatennisphotography.com/2022-ACT-Clay-Court-International-1/