MELBOURNE, Feb. 18 (Reuters) 鈥 Jennifer Brady ensured there would be an American in the Australian Open final after Serena Williams鈥 exit by downing Karol铆na Muchov谩 (6-4, 3-6, 6-4) in the semifinals on Thursday.

On a stifling afternoon at Rod Laver Arena, former college player Brady dug herself out of a mid-match hole to reach her first Grand Slam decider and a daunting title clash with former champion Naomi Osaka.

Ms. Brady saw four match points slip through her fingers as she served it out nervously, but finally celebrated the win when Muchov谩 fired a forehand long. 鈥 Reuters

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR