Jennifer Brady has continued her dream run at the Australian Open with a roller-coaster three sets win over Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals on Thursday.
The 22nd seed overcame a mini resurgence during the second set from her Czech opponent to prevail 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, at Melbourne Park. Becoming the seventh WTA player to reach their first ever Grand Slam final out of the past nine tournaments. The clash between the two was much about the mental side of the game as it was physical with both having their highs and lows. Nevertheless, it was America’s Brady who had the edge as she produced 20 winners against 38 errors and broke Muchova three times.
“I can’t feel my legs. My legs are shaking and my heart is racing,” Brady said on the court afterwards.
Brady, who had dropped the fewest games out of the four players to reach the semi-finals in the tournament so far, looked to be on good footing early on. Twice she managed to disassemble the Muchova serve to clinch the opening set in less than 40 minutes. However, Muchova has a reputation for coming back after doing so to stun world No.1 Ash Barty in the previous round. Once again the Czech was able to battle back as she elevated her level to snatch the second frame.
With a place in the Australian Open final at stake, Brady struck three games into the decider with the help of a nightmare service game from Muchova who failed to continue her momentum gained from the previous set. Four unforced errors, as well as a double fault, from the world No.27 enabled the American to break with relative ease as she closed in on a milestone victory. Serving for the win at 5-4, Brady continued to be tested during what was a marathon final game. After seeing four match points come and go she finally prevailed after a Muchova forehand landed beyond the baseline. Prompting Brady to drop to the ground in pure delight.
“After the first set I was like ‘ok, let’s focus here Jenny.’” She said.
“I was feeling a little strange today. You know, I was super excited but at the same time I was pretty flat footed. My legs felt fresh but at the same time they weren’t moving. I didn’t pick up my intensity until the beginning of the third set.”
The performance follows Brady’s breakthrough season in 2020 where she broke into the top 50 for the first time and won her maiden WTA title in Lexington. Unlike her peers, she started playing professionally at a later age after opting to go through the college system in her home country. Brady, who admitted she didn’t enjoy playing tennis at a younger age, didn’t make her Grand Slam debut until the age of 21 in 2017.
Standing in her way of the title will be former champion Naomi Osaka who defeated Serena Williams in straight sets earlier in the day. It will be the second major in a row where they have clashed in the last four of a major. In New York Osaka prevailed in three sets.
“I’m pretty excited to be in the final of the Australian Open. It’s an incredible achievement but I think it will be a very tough match,” she said of playing the world No.3.
“She’s won a few Grand Slam’s and we had a tough match in the semi-finals of the US Open. I think it will be a really good match.”
Muchova is only the second seeded player Brady has defeated in the tournament after Donna Vekic in the fourth round.
