Australian Open
Joao Fonseca, Brenda Fruhvirtova, Chris Eubanks: AO qualifying final round storylines
Rising talents Kudermetova and Tien, along with Aussie Birrell and veterans Martic and Garin, also seek main-draw tickets.
After upsetting Emma Navarro in the second round, wild card Birrell reached her first WTA 500 quarterfinal with a 7-6(2), 6-2 win over Anastasia Potapova.
The wild card advanced to the round of 16 on New Year's Day with a 7-5, 7-5 victory.
The Aussie faces world No. 179 Sara Saito in the Quarterfinals.