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Amanda Anisimova vs Kim Birrell Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Anisimova to topple home hope

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Wed 07 Jan 2026 04:18

Amanda Anisimova debuts at the Brisbane International against Kim Birrell, with both players entering the match from notably different trajectories. Anisimova, fresh off a career-best year placing her in the top three, is predicted to maintain her momentum and overpower Birrell, despite the latter's known strong performances at home. Anisimova's recent performance against top-level players highlights her dominant form, making her a favorite. However, expect Birrell to challenge as she thrives in familiar conditions. The match can be streamed live through Unibet under certain access conditions.

Andrew Hendrie 07 Jan 2026
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  • Amanda Anisimova vs Kim Birrell predictions for Wednesday's WTA Brisbane R2 match
  • Anisimova coming off career-best season in 2025, seeded second in Brisbane
  • Birrell searching for a third top 10 scalp at her home tournament
  • Prediction: Anisimova to prevail in a tight two-setter
  • The match is scheduled to start around 7.35pm AEDT on Wednesday January 7
Expired
Amanda Anisimova
Amanda Anisimova (Photo by Getty Images)


Amanda Anisimova vs Kim Birrell Tips, Prediction & Live Stream


Amanda Anisimova makes her Brisbane International debut on Wednesday night when she comes up against local wildcard Kim Birrell in the second round.

Seeded second after an outstanding 2025, Anisimova will be hoping to continue her magical form that saw her rise from outside the world's top 40 and into the top three. The American advanced to her first two Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open and has a chance to accumulate more points and make up ground on the likes of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka after a relatively quiet Australian summer last year. Meanwhile, Birrell absolutely loves playing at home in Brisbane and will be targeting a third top 10 scalp at the tournament, with the Aussie also making the quarter-finals last year.

Birrell is at her best in these conditions, where she has caught top 10 players cold at the start of the season on multiple occasions. However, I don't see it happening here. Anisimova was so impressive last year and I think she has a chance to crack the World No. 1 ranking in the first half of 2026. The American has won her last seven matches against players outside the top 50, but with Birrell peaking at this event, the Aussie can extend this match over 18.5 total games.
  • Anisimova has won her last seven matches vs players outside the top 50
  • Birrell is 2-6 vs top 10 players, with those two wins coming at WTA Brisbane (Kasatkina & Navarro)
  • Six of Anisimova's last seven wins have seen Over 18.5 games
  • Birrell's last five defeats have seen Over 18.5 games

Anisimova vs Birrell Head To Head

Anisimova leads 1-0, easing past Birrell in straight sets at last year's US Open.

TournamentRoundWinnerScore
US Open (2025)Round 1Amanda Anisimova6–3, 6–2

Amanda Anisimova Form Analysis

  • 2025 Record: 45-18
  • WTA Brisbane Record: 0-0

Anisimova was without a shadow of a doubt one of the best stories to come out of the WTA Tour last year.

After taking a lengthy break from the sport for mental health reasons, Anisimova returned with a bang, capturing two WTA 1000 titles in Doha and Beijing, along with reaching major finals at Wimbledon and the US Open.

Those results contributed to the American rising from outside the world's top 40 in February to a year-end mark of No. 3.

Still just 24 years of age, Anisimova qualified for the WTA Finals for the first time and made it out of the group to the semi-finals, beating Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys before going down to Aryna Sabalenka.

Kim Birrell Form Analysis

  • 2026 Record: 1-0
  • 2025 Record: 16-20
  • WTA Brisbane Record: 6-5

It was a rollercoaster year for Birrell in 2025, but at the end of the day, she ended it where she started - just outside the world's top 100 at No. 106.

Birrell launched the year in impressive fashion as she advanced to the quarter-finals of Brisbane, beating Emma Navarro along the way. That result helped the Aussie hit a career-high ranking of No. 60.

However, the 27-year-old suffered a long stretch of early defeats midway during the season, which saw her ranking drop considerably.

Birrell was able to salvage that ranking slide by making the final of the WTA event in Chennai before ending 2025 with a semi-final finish at an ITF event in Sydney.

The Aussie continued her love affair with the Brisbane International in her opening round, taking out Rebecca Sramkova 6-4 3-6 6-3.

Anisimova vs Birrell Live Stream

Watch and bet on Amanda Anisimova vs Kim Birrell live WTA Brisbane tennis.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > WTA Brisbane with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Birrell is at her best in Brisbane and can keep this relatively tight, but Anisimova is coming off a career-best season - the second seed should prove too strong.

Best Bet1: Anisimova 2-0 Set Betting $1.55 at dabble - 4 Units
Best Bet2: Anisimova & Over 18.5 H2H/Total Games $2.28 at Playup - 1 Unit
Anisimova 2-0
Set Betting
$1.55 - 4 Units
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Betting Slip | 07 Jan 2026

Amanda Anisimova v Kimberly Birrell