<p><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/ladies-australian-open/ladies-australian-open-winner-2026-8892430">The 2026 Australian Open</a> first round serves up a local delight as Perth bolter Maddison Inglis faces Gold Coast gun Kimberly Birrell.</p> <p>Scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, at Melbourne Park, this clash ensures at least one more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/australian-open/news/australian-players-2026">Aussie woman</a> will march into the second round of the Happy Slam.</p> <p>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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/australian-open/predictions/ladies-draw-2026">Aussie women competing in the Aus Open</a>, at a career-high position of world No.76.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell prediction below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Match Betting</h3> <p>The head-to-head market shows Birrell as the clear favourite at 1.36, while Inglis is the outsider at 3.08.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/ladies-australian-open/maddison-inglis-v-kimberly-birrell-10048515">Kimberly Birrell.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Set Betting</h3> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>A straight-sets victory for Birrell is priced at 2.00, offering solid value for those backing her current form.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/ladies-australian-open/maddison-inglis-v-kimberly-birrell-10048515">Kimberly Birrell 2-0.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Total Match Games</h3> <p>The total match games line has been set at 21.5, with the under paying 1.82.</p> <p>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 <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/ladies-australian-open/anastasia-potapova-v-emma-raducanu-10059880">Anastasia Potapova</a> suggest she can close out matches efficiently when she's in the zone.</p> <p>There will be value in betting overs, expect Inglis to step up for the occasion and turn this match into a dogfight.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting Tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/tennis/ladies-australian-open/maddison-inglis-v-kimberly-birrell-10048515">Over 21.5 total match games</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>*Odds are subject to change.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Where to Watch the Maddison Inglis vs Kimberly Birrell Australian Open Match?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For those in Australia, you can watch the 2026 Australian Open First Round match between Maddison Inglis and Kimberly Birrell on the Nine Network.</p> <p>Available on both free-to-air on Channel 9, and 9Gem, you can also watch the match online on 9Now.</p> <p>Alternatively, you can stream the Australian Open match on streaming service Stan Sport.</p>