Kim Birrell smiled to the crowd as she walked in to a packed Pat Rafter Arena.

In just the first week of the year, the Aussie could make her first WTA semifinal.

But standing in her way is Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina, the world No. 56, in this quarterfinal.

Birrell has won her last two matches in straight sets. Let’s see what she can do here today.

G’day Natty, and a big welcome to all our readers!

The first semifinal is underway in the national capital, with seventh seed Aoi Ito enjoying the early running against Nuria Parrizas Diaz of Spain.

Japan’s Ito won the first set 6-2 against the tournament’s top seed.

Games are on serve in the second.

Australia’s own Kim Birrell has had a flying start to her season of tennis, rocketing into the Brisbane International quarterfinals after beating the number-two-seed Emma Navarro and world number 35 Anastasia Potapova, both in straight sets.

These victories propelled her into the top 100 in the live rankings for the first time, sneaking in at 99. That’s 14 extra points than she had to start the tournament.

But she has a big challenge ahead of her today. She’ll face Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina, world No. 56 and a previous top 30 contender.

That’s set for a midday start.

Much of our attention will be on Kimberly Birrell’s quarterfinal in Brisbane, but we’ll also keep you updated on what’s happening in Auckland and Canberra.

Naomi Osaka is on court at the moment across the Tasman.

The two-time Australian Open champion, seeded seventh in Auckland, is playing Hailey Baptiste of the US in the quarterfinals.

Games are on serve in the first set at 2-2.

Earlier, Robin Montgomery defeated fellow American Bernarda Pera 6-4, 6-4 in their quarterfinal.

G’day and welcome to ABC Sport’s digital coverage of the summer of tennis as we continue the build-up to the Australian Open.

A massive day and evening ahead on the courts in both Australia and New Zealand.

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

• Brisbane International
• United Cup
• Canberra International
• Auckland Open

We’re not far away from Kimberly Birrell’s clash with Anhelina Kalinina in the Brisbane International quarterfinals.

The Aussie’s run to the last eight has been one of the stories of the tournament and Marnie Vinall will be keeping you across the action.

We hope you can join us!