Ecstatic American continues rapid rise

SHE started 2019 ranked No.116 in the world.

Two years on, American Jennifer Brady is preparing for a second semi-final appearance in three grand slams after making the final four in the Australian Open.

The 25-year-old will face top-seed slayer Karolina Muchova, eyeing her first grand slam final and the minimum $1.5 million pay packet that comes with it.

Brady fell to eventual champion Naomi Osaka in the semi-final of the US Open last year. It was the first time she had progressed past the fourth round of a major.

But she learnt things from that loss, which was anything but lopsided.

“I think we won match of the year on the women’s side,” Brady said of that semifinal.

“That solidifies the fact that we both played an impressive, high-quality match from start to finish.

“I’m looking to replicate that in the semi-final.

“I’m just happy to be competing. With all that’s going on, the pandemic, I think all of us are just happy to be doing what we love.”

Brady and good friend Jessica Pegula had a smile and gave each other a fist bump as they walked on to Rod Laver Arena together yesterday. That was where the niceties ended for the American pair.

In a seesawing battle, the unseeded Pegula landed the first punch when she took the opening set 6-4.

But the daughter of a billionaire oil and gas magnate ultimately ran out of gas herself as Brady, who sensed a tiring opponent, fought back to win convincingly, 4-6 6-2 6-1.