Kimberly Birrell and Maya Joint will contest an all-Australian final in Seoul after both came through a demanding Saturday to secure their places in the championship match.
Birrell earned her first final berth of 2026 with two victories in one day. The Australian recovered from a set down to beat Katie Volynets, then returned to eliminate sixth seed Anna Bondar 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 in a semifinal lasting two hours and 30 minutes.
The result sends Birrell into the third WTA Tour final of her career, with the 27-year-old still pursuing her first singles title. Her run has opened a new chapter in the Seoul draw after she had to negotiate consecutive three-set tests on Saturday.
Joint advances after Korneeva retirement
Joint will stand across the net from her compatriot after Alina Korneeva was forced to retire from their semifinal. The 20-year-old Australian was ahead 6-1, 1-0 after 49 minutes when the match ended.
Korneeva had left the court for medical treatment while trailing 5-2 in the opening set, before attempting to continue. Joint had earlier reached her first semifinal of the season by defeating third seed Lanlana Tararudee in straight sets.
After a difficult campaign following her breakthrough year in 2025, Joint has now reached her first final of 2026. It will also be her third career tour-level final, and she arrives with a perfect record in the previous two, having won both title matches.
A rare Australian final
The Seoul title match will be the first meeting between Birrell and Joint. It is also the first all-Australian WTA Tour final since Strasbourg in 2017, and only the third such final this century.
| Finalist | Route to final | Career WTA finals | Final record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimberly Birrell | Defeated Katie Volynets; beat No. 6 seed Anna Bondar 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 | 3 | Seeking first title |
| Maya Joint | Defeated No. 3 seed Lanlana Tararudee; led Alina Korneeva 6-1, 1-0 before retirement | 3 | 2-0 |
One Australian will leave Seoul with a significant milestone: Birrell could finally lift her first WTA singles trophy, while Joint has the chance to maintain her unbeaten record in tour finals.
