
It was a strong run for unranked Jessica Pegula at the 2021 Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia.
The 26-year-old daughter of Buffalo Bills and Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula made it as far as the quarterfinal round of the tournament before being upended by 22nd-ranked Jennifer Brady in three sets, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Pegula started her Australian Open with an upset win over 12th-ranked Victoria Azarenka in the first round, followed by victories over Samantha Stosur and Kristina Mladenovic along the way.
Perhaps the best win of her young professional career, to this point, came in the fourth round on Sunday when she knocked off fifth-ranked Elina Svitolina in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Leading up to the 2021 Australian Open, Pegula had never advanced beyond the third round of a Grand Slam. Her only tour win came back in 2019 at the Citi Open Championship over Camila Giorgi in straight sets.
With the win on Tuesday, Brady advances to the women's semifinal round to face 25th-ranked Karolina Muchova, who knocked off top-ranked Ashleigh Barty in three sets.
The other women's semifinal round matchup will feature 10th-ranked Serena Williams taking on 2019 Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka on Wednesday.
Williams is seeking to tie Margaret Court for the most women's Grand Slam tennis titles with a win at the 2021 Australian Open. It would also be Williams' eighth Australian Open title of her career.