Shibahara fends off fellow qualifier Birrell in Guadalajara first round
Former Top 5 doubles player Ena Shibahara continued her singles rise this season, defeating fellow qualifier Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 7-6(4) in the first round of the Guadalajara Open AKRON on Tuesday. Shibahara, who came back from 5-1 down in the second set, will meet No.4 seed Caroline Garcia in the second round.