Kim Birrell may have fallen agonisingly short of a semifinal spot at the Brisbane International.

But the 26-year-old Queenslander will be able to look back on a superb week on her home court, setting her up nicely for a tilt at qualifying for the Australian Open next week.

“So many positives,” a pleasingly upbeat Birrell said post-match. 

“I had so much fun playing here this week. It’s such a good way to start my year, I hope that I can keep it rolling. 

“Of course, disappointed getting so close, just falling short, but I’m definitely going to focus on the positives.”

In the end, Anhelina Kalinina’s 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 victory after two hours and 38 minutes of brutal, intense tennis was well deserved, the world number 55 overcoming dropping the first set to fight back with venom in the second.

Kalinina, who had never won a match in Australia prior to this campaign, even survived a match point in the third set before prevailing off the back of her impressive power that earned her 40 winners to Birrell’s 29.

Both women had more winners than errors, underlining the quality both showed in what was a thoroughly entertaining contest.

“I want to give credit to Kim Birrell because wow, what a match,” Kalinina said on the court post-match.

“I have already forgot about the break points because every point was really hard to get.” 

Birrell had started brightly, backed by the capacity crowd and earned the first break point early in the first set. 

Kalinina saved that one and then, under significant pressure, saved the first two in the subsequent service game after being 0-40 down.

Birrell though finally broke through and successfully served out the set, something she’s not found easy so far this tournament — a double fault on the first point betrayed her nerves, and the gusting wind posed issues with her toss in that same game.

But again, she regained her composure with two terrific rallies to ensure she won the set.

Kalinina took herself off court after losing the opener, leaving Birrell to contemplate what could lie ahead: A maiden WTA500 semi-final, on home courts, in front of her family and friends.

It’s the sort of pressure that could get to anyone.

And when Kalinina returned, the Ukrainian served out the opening game with some authority, the only blip a double fault.

Birrell, on the other hand, lost her serve entirely, struggling to rediscover the consistency of the first set as she gave up her first break point of the match, one which the 27-year-old Ukrainian leaped upon.

More break points followed in Birrell’s next service games as the Australian’s first serve percentage dropped to 43 per cent, of which she won just 33 per cent of points.

Kalinina’s first serve percentage through the second set was no better than Birrell’s, but she won all 12 of those points, a platform Birrell simply couldn’t topple.

It was only towards the end of this second set that Kalinina started to mix things up too, deploying drop shots and coming to the net to mess with Birrell’s well-set rhythm from the baseline and further upset her poise.

Taking the cue from her opponent though, Birrell disappeared into the change rooms to recapture the verve that had sent her to this stage of the tournament in the first place.

And the Aussie returned for the third energised, holding to love with a roar of delight as the crowd responded in kind.

The toll of a match that was ticking into its third hour was starting to tell though: “I needed some more legs,” Birrell said after twice looking at her right knee and flexed following some punishingly physical rallies.

“I played some really physical matches, just being the first week of the year,” Birrell added.

“It’s crazy how your body adapts super quickly, but then not playing matches for like a month, it sort of takes a little bit again. 

“I’ve played at this level but not necessarily as many matches as I have had this week, it has taken a bit physically and mentally out of me.”

The heat too was rising, Birrell pouring cold water on her towel at the change of ends to lower her core temperature.

And it looked like it must have worked. At least a bit.

The first break point of the third set went the way of the Aussie after Kalinina strayed wide, although as the volume rose on Pat Rafter Arena the Ukrainian held with three-straight points, a grin on her face as she survived that scare.

Birrell earned another break point on Kalinina’s next service game, a match point this time, but again, the Ukrainian held.

And then, heartbreakingly for the home supporters, she broke with her first opportunity in the set and subsequently served out the match.

Birrell’s quarter-final appearance has given her a live WTA ranking inside the top 100 for the first time in her career, making her the new Australian number one.

Without a wild card for the Australian Open, she will have to go through qualifying.

“Yeah, all eyes on AO,” Birrell said, still beaming despite the disappointment of her defeat, a positive attitude that will serve her so well in what is one of the most unforgiving of sports.

“Pretty used to that with tennis: quick turnarounds, you’re playing and losing one day, then have to refocus to compete again the next. 

“It is tough. It’s also what I love about tennis: each week is a new opportunity. 

“I’m really excited to play in Melbourne. I love the conditions down there. I’ve also played some great tennis. 

“I’m going to continue to just keep backing myself, the confidence that I’ve gained this week has been unreal, you just can’t replicate that in practice. 

“You need to really prove on the match court that you can do it [and] having really done that this week, I’m going to use that going into next week, and continue this momentum hopefully for the whole year.”