
A weary Kimberly Birrell has missed out on winning her maiden WTA title after losing the Chennai Open final - but the Australian has earned the consolation of a special sportsmanship award for her selfless behaviour at the Indian tournament.
Gold Coast player Birrell was defeated 6-4 6-3 by rising Indonesian Janice Tjen in Sunday's final -- a bitter disappointment as it was her second defeat in a championship match in Asia after also losing the Osaka final last year.