Angelique Kerber thrashes wildcard Kimberly Birrell to reach Australian Open fourth round

Angelique Kerber completes horror show for hosts on Rod Laver Arena as she thrashes wildcard Kimberly Birrell to reach Australian Open fourth round

  • Angelique Kerber cruised past Kimberly Birrell at the Australian Open on Friday
  • On her 31st birthday Kerber beat the Aussie wildcard 6-1, 6-0 to reach round four
  • Birrell’s defeat followed another heavy loss for an Australian on Rod Laver Arena
  • Aussie men’s No 1 Alex De Minaur was beaten in straight sets by Rafael Nadal

Birthday girl Angelique Kerber thrashed Australian wildcard Kimberly Birrell 6-1, 6-0 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday and complete a late-night horror show for the locals at Rod Laver Arena.

On the day of her 31st birthday, the German former champion has enjoyed a stellar start at Melbourne Park and 240th-ranked Birrell had nowhere to hide in front of a packed centre court crowd.

German Angelique Kerber cruised into round four of the Australian Open late on Friday night

Australian wildcard Kimberly Birrell was thrashed 6-1, 6-0 by Kerber on Rod Laver Arena

Australian wildcard Kimberly Birrell was thrashed 6-1, 6-0 by Kerber on Rod Laver Arena

Birrell's heavy loss capped off a disappointing night for Australians at Melbourne Park

Birrell’s heavy loss capped off a disappointing night for Australians at Melbourne Park

The match followed Rafael Nadal’s straight sets demolition of Australian No 1 Alex De Minaur.

Roaring through the first set in 27 minutes, Kerber’s procession was held up briefly as Birrell saved three match points.

Yet the former world No 1 made no mistake on the fourth, rushing forward to hammer a forehand winner down the line to set up a clash against American Danielle Collins.

Kerber produced 17 winners and just nine unforced errors. Birrell made 10 winners and a whopping 30 unforced errors. 

On her 31st birthday, Kerber produced an excellent display as she outclassed her opponent

On her 31st birthday, Kerber produced an excellent display as she outclassed her opponent

Kerber was backed by a group of fans in the crowd who wished her happy birthday with a sign

Kerber was backed by a group of fans in the crowd who wished her happy birthday with a sign

The players smiled as they shook hands at the net after their match which lasted 58 minutes

The players smiled as they shook hands at the net after their match which lasted 58 minutes

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