Ann Li snapped a four-match losing streak with a hard-fought 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 victory over Kimberly Birrell in the Round of 128 at Miami on Thursday. The American steadied herself after dropping the second set, winning 87 total points to Birrell’s 74 and dominating on serve with 7 aces to the Australian’s 1.
Li seized control early, racing through the opening set behind a 77% win rate on first serve points. Birrell stormed back in the second, exploiting a dip in Li’s serve effectiveness to level the match at one set apiece. The decider proved tight until Li’s superior serve discipline—just 3 double faults to Birrell’s 5—gave her the edge in critical moments. Li held firm on her delivery throughout the final set, closing out the match with authority.
The victory marks a crucial confidence boost for Li, who had won just once in her previous five matches entering Miami. Birrell, meanwhile, couldn’t replicate last year’s deeper run at this tournament, undone by 5 costly double faults and an inability to capitalize on second serve opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- Li’s serve proved decisive: her 7 aces represented her second-highest total in the last 10 hard court matches (above her 5.7 average), while her 77% first serve points won rate dominated Birrell’s 64%.
- Serve discipline separated the two players—Li committed just 3 double faults compared to Birrell’s 5, staying well below her hard court average of 2.3 while Birrell matched her troublesome 5.2 per match rate.
- Li’s steadier baseline game prevailed over three sets: she won 87 total points to Birrell’s 74, a 13-point margin that reflected superior consistency on both first (77% points won) and second serve (53% vs 47%).
- The victory snaps a brutal stretch for Li, who entered Miami having won just 1 of her previous 5 matches—this performance suggests a return to the form that carried her to 2 career titles.
Player Analysis
Ann Li
Li’s serving performance was the foundation of her comeback victory. Hitting 7 aces—well above her hard court average of 5.7—she consistently hurt Birrell on first deliveries, winning 77% of those points. More importantly, her serve discipline held firm under pressure: just 3 double faults across three sets kept games on her racquet. After surrendering the second set, Li rediscovered her rhythm in the decider, using her superior second serve effectiveness (53% points won vs Birrell’s 47%) to grind through baseline exchanges.
This was a mentally crucial win for the American, who arrived in Miami in freefall with a 1-4 record over her last five matches. The victory demonstrates resilience—she didn’t crumble after dropping the second set, instead reasserting control when it mattered most. If she can maintain this serve quality, deeper progress beckons.
Kimberly Birrell
Birrell’s aggressive baseline game delivered flashes of brilliance—most notably in the dominant 6-2 second set—but structural flaws in her serve cost her the match. Five double faults, matching her concerning hard court average of 5.2 per match, undermined her otherwise solid 64% first serve percentage. When her first delivery clicked, she won 64% of points, but the inability to find a reliable second serve (47% points won) left her vulnerable in extended rallies.
The Australian couldn’t sustain the momentum from her strong second set, managing just 3 games in the decider. With just 1 ace across the entire match—far below Li’s 7—Birrell lacked the free points necessary to control service games. Her aggressive shot-making, which typically produces high winner counts (41.0 average), failed to materialize against Li’s steadier game plan.
Match Statistics
| Ann Li | Stat | Kimberly Birrell |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Aces | 1 |
| 3 | Double Faults | 5 |
| 59% | 1st Serve % | 64% |
| 77% | 1st Serve Points Won | 64% |
| 53% | 2nd Serve Points Won | 47% |
| 87 | Total Points Won | 74 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Ann Li vs Kimberly Birrell at Miami 2026?
Ann Li defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 in the Round of 128 at the Miami Open on March 19, 2026.
How many aces did Ann Li hit against Kimberly Birrell?
Ann Li hit 7 aces compared to Kimberly Birrell’s 1, a decisive advantage that helped her control service games throughout the three-set match.
Who won the Miami 2026 Round of 128 match between Li and Birrell?
Ann Li won, snapping a four-match losing streak with a comeback victory after dropping the second set.
What was Ann Li’s first serve percentage against Birrell at Miami?
Ann Li’s first serve percentage was 59%, and she won an impressive 77% of points on her first serve, significantly better than Birrell’s 64% first serve points won rate.
What’s Next
Li advances to the Round of 64 at Miami, where she’ll look to build on this momentum and extend her tournament run beyond last year’s early exit. For Birrell, it’s back to the practice court to address those serve issues before her next event.
Head-to-head history: Ann Li vs Kimberly Birrell.
