[22] Jennifer Brady (USA) vs. [25] Karolina Muchova (CZE)

This match was not expected. I am not sure who had this in their bracket, but it is an exciting match and will put a new face into a Grand Slam final. Brady’s rise began in my beloved Kentucky last summer when she won the WTA event in Lexington. Her US Open was also a nice revelation. Muchova has pulled escape acts from 0-5 down in a set to winning that set 7-5 to close out the match. I think her match time out explanation may have generated some controversy, but it was unclear as to whether she was feeling her head spin and needed her blood pressure checked or if she needed a timeout. Not being a native speaker of English and knowing that her blood pressure was checked, I will give the benefit of the doubt here.

What do I think will happen?

I like Brady’s game and mentality. I think she will win in two or three tight sets, but how either of them handle the pressure of being on the cusp of a slam final could lead to a one-sided match.

My Prediction: Brady d. Muchova 6-4, 7-6