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By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, January 31, 2025

 
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American Ann Li edged Aussie Kimberly Birrell 7-6(2), 7-6(4) to advance to the Singapore Tennis Open semifinals.

Photo credit: Singapore Tennis Open Facebook

Ann Li continues her Singapore surge.

Li edged Aussie wild card Kimberly Birrell 7-6(2), 7-6(4) to reach her sixth Tour-level semifinal at the Singapore Tennis Open.

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The 85th-ranked American played with poise under pressure in the tiebreakers after Birrell battled back in both sets.

Li served for the opening set at 5-3, but Birrell broke back eventually forcing the first-set tiebreaker. Li raced out to a 5-1 lead and closed the opening set on her first set point.

The second set followed a similar script as Li served for the match at 5-4 only to see Birrell break back again.

In the second-set tiebreaker, Li raced out to a 5-2 lead before closing on her first match point.

Li, who played through qualifying to reach the Hobart round of 16 earlier this month, will play for a spot in her fourth career Tour-level final tomorrow. Li will face top-seeded Anna Kalinskaya for a spot in the final.

Playing as a top seed for the first time in her career, Kalinskaya stopped Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 in one hour, 57 minutes.

It will be the first meeting between the 26-year-old Kalinskaya and the 24-year-old Li.

 

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