Birrell, Joint to contest first all-Australian final since 2017 in Seoul

A pair of three-set victories on a busy Saturday in Seoul sent Kimberly Birrell into her first final of 2026, as the Australian rallied from a set down to defeat Katie Volynets before knocking off No. 6 seed Anna Bondar 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Seoul: Scores | Order of play | Draws

Awaiting Birrell in the final is fellow Aussie Maya Joint. After a difficult season following last year's breakthrough, the 20-year-old advanced to her first semifinal of 2026 with a straight-sets victory over No. 3 seed Lanlana Tararudee. She then reached her first final of the year when Korneeva retired in the second set of their semifinal.

Joint led 6-1, 1-0 after 49 minutes when Korneeva retired. Korneeva had previously taken an off-court medical timeout while trailing 5-2 in the opening set.

The results have produced the first all-Australian WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz final since Strasbourg 2017 and only the third all-Australian final of the 21st century.

It will be the first meeting between Birrell and Joint. Birrell will be making her third final appearance as she searches for an elusive first title, while Joint will also be contesting her third final after winning each of her previous two.

More to come...