This time it’s down under. It’s not on a football field. Oh yeah, and it’s not Tom Brady.
24th Ranked Jennifer Brady will be taking on Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the 2021 Australian Open. Jessica is the daughter of Terry Pegula, the owner of the Buffalo Bills. And Bills Mafia has a deep dark history of having their hearts ripped out by a Brady.
The two Americans have only met once before, and it was actually Pegula who defeated Brady in the 2020 Western & Southern Open in New York, 7(7)-6(5), 6–4. However, it’ll be Brady who will be the favorite to win today, shocker. After a very successful 2020 season, where Brady was able to crack the top 25, secure her first WTA title and reach the US Open Semi Final, she is continuing her strong play into 2021.
Pegula has been on the rise herself as well though. Up to 61st in the world and she too grabbed her first ever WTA title in 2020. This is her deepest run in a grand slam tournament however. Pegula made it to the round of 32 at the 2020 US Open.
It’s an incredibly exciting match for American tennis. Brady at 25, and Pegula and 26, both moving up the ranks in women’s tennis, are part of a wave of promising American tennis players in the WTA. With Serena securing her place in semis, the winner of this match will ensure 2 of the 4 semi finalists will have the stars and stripes next to their name. And it also will open the doors to a potential all American final in Melbourne.
Bills Mafia is a rabid bunch, so I wouldn’t be surprised if a table or two gets smashed somewhere in Australia in anticipation of this match. I’ll be pulling for Pegula, and only because Bills fans should not have to endure their hearts being ripped out by a Brady any more. It has happened for 2 decades, it didn’t stop when he left New England, and now it could continue on the opposite side of the world. The mafia just doesn’t deserve that type of suffering. You never bet against a Brady though, so while I’ll be wearing my zubaz and singing shout, I do think Brady is going to come out on top here.
