Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell Prediction and Betting Tips

The 2026 Australian Open first round serves up a local delight as Perth bolter Maddison Inglis faces Gold Coast gun Kimberly Birrell.

Scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, at Melbourne Park, this clash ensures at least one more Aussie woman will march into the second round of the Happy Slam.

Kimberly Birrell enters the tournament in white-hot form after a sublime run to the Adelaide International semifinals earlier this month. With that performance, she emerged as the third-highest ranked of the Aussie women competing in the Aus Open, at a career-high position of world No.76.

Inglis, meanwhile, had to fight her way through the qualifying rounds to earn her spot in the main event. While she sits lower in the rankings at No. 168, the 28-year-old has a history of rising to the occasion in front of a home crowd.

For the latest analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell prediction below.

Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell Betting Tips

Match Betting

The head-to-head market shows Birrell as the clear favourite at 1.36, while Inglis is the outsider at 3.08.

Birrell's recent momentum is hard to ignore. Her ability to dismantle higher-ranked opponents in Adelaide suggests she has found a new level of aggression and consistency in 2026.

Inglis will rely on her strong-baseline game to try and overpower Birrell, but the Queenslander's improved serve and heavy groundstrokes should give her the edge in these conditions.

Betting tip: Kimberly Birrell.

Set Betting

While Birrell is the favourite, this all-Australian battle is rarely a straightforward affair. Both players understand each other's games intimately, having faced off on the domestic circuit multiple times, with the ledger sitting at 5-2 in Birrell’s favour.

Given the high stakes and the local rivalry, we expect a competitive opening set. However, Birrell’s superior match fitness from her deep run in Adelaide should see her pull away.

A straight-sets victory for Birrell is priced at 2.00, offering solid value for those backing her current form.

Betting tip: Kimberly Birrell 2-0.

Total Match Games

The total match games line has been set at 21.5, with the under paying 1.82.

If Birrell maintains the clinical form she showed in the lead-up tournaments, this match could conclude relatively quickly. Inglis is a fighter, but Birrell's recent straight-sets victories over top 50 players like Anastasia Potapova suggest she can close out matches efficiently when she's in the zone.

There will be value in betting overs, expect Inglis to step up for the occasion and turn this match into a dogfight. 

Betting Tip: Over 21.5 total match games

*Odds are subject to change.

Where to Watch the Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell Australian Open Match?

For those in Australia, you can watch the 2026 Australian Open First Round match between Maddison Inglis and Kimberly Birrell on the Nine Network.

Available on both free-to-air on Channel 9, and 9Gem, you can also watch the match online on 9Now.

Alternatively, you can stream the Australian Open match on streaming service Stan Sport.