Inglis is hunting a fourth appearance at the Open, where she stormed into the third round three years ago.
The West Australian won her second-round match in qualifying at Melbourne Park on Wednesday, overcoming fifth-seeded Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo 4-6 6-3 6-3.
She next faces Argentina's Julia Riera, ranked one place higher at world No.147, with the winner earning a spot in the Open and minimum payday of $132,000.
Swamped by young fans post-match, Inglis said she had to dig deep to overcome Sorribes Tormo and found herself thinking of her good friend Birrell.
The Queenslander, who last week took over as Australia's top-ranked female player, made the quarter-finals in Brisbane which was her first run deep at a WTA 500-level event in an injury-ravaged career.
"Last week was so inspiring, and if Kim can do it, why can't we do it, you know, and that gives us all that confidence to beat those top girls," 26-year-old Inglis said.
"I actually did try and channel a little bit of Kim out there today.
"She fights for every point no matter what happens the point before and that's what I tried to do today."
Making her Open debut as a teenager back in 2016, Inglis's best run came in 2022 when she eliminated former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez en route to the third round.
"It would mean a lot to play again, I fell a set short (in qualifying) last year," she said.
"I'm super pumped I've put myself in the position to be one match away from another Australian Open.
"I had one of my best weeks here a few years ago so I'd love to get back in the main draw."
Destanee Aiava is also alive in qualifying after beating Hungarian Panna Udvardy. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
Former teen prodigy Destanee Aiava, now 24, also remains alive in qualifying after downing Hungary's Panna Udvardy with a thumping 6-4 6-1 scoreline.
Big-hitting Perth teenager Taylah Preston started well against British third seed Harriet Dart before being beaten 6-7 (9-7) 6-1 6-2.
In other early Australian results wildcard Dane Sweeny was no match for Portuguese 17th seed Jaime Faria, losing 6-2 6-2.
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