“Solidifying Herself”: Jessica Pegula on Her Quarterfinal Clash Against Jennifer Brady at the Australian Open 2021

Jessica Pegula has been in sublime form at the ongoing 2021 Australian Open, having ousted many top players so far. Pegula defeated No.5 seed Elina Svitolina in the fourth round at Melbourne Park and has reached her first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal.

During the post-match conference, a reporter asked Pegula’s thoughts on her upcoming quarterfinal match against fellow American, Jennifer Brady.

The 2019 Washington Open champion seemed excited about her matchup against Brady, whom she has known since their Fed Cup days.

Jessica Pegula expects a tough match

Pegula mentioned she believes it will be a great showdown and talked about being grateful for the opportunity to compete for the Australian Open title.

“Yeah, I think it will be awesome. Jenn is an awesome person. I would love to see her and play her in the quarterfinal. I think it would just be so fun and it’ll be a really good match. It’s an opportunity for both of us, I am just happy I am here,” said Pegula.

The 26-year-old hailed Brady as one of the top players in the world. The duo has played only once against each other in the Round of 64 at the 2020 Cincinnati Masters, a match that saw Pegula clinch the W 7-6, 6-4.

“She’s been playing some good tennis and solidifying herself as a top player. We all have been pushing each other. Why not push each other into a quarterfinal and one of us be in the semis,” added Pegula.

The banter between Pegula-Bardy

It was heartening to witness the duo’s camaraderie after they won their respective fourth-round matches. After cementing her place in the last eight of the tournament, Brady wrote ‘Bring it Jess’ on the camera screen before leaving the Rod Laver Arena.

Similarly, after triumphing over Svitolina in the fourth-round, Pegula signed off by writing ‘See you in the next round Jen B’ on the camera screen.

Brady has been in imperious form since the tour’s resumption in August last year. She won her first WTA title at the 2020 Top Seed Open and reached her first-ever Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open last year.

In fact, prior to the Australian Open, Brady reached the semifinals of the Grampians Trophy but lost a close match at the penultimate stage.