Ranking-riser McCartney Kessler will take a run of American success into the Australian Open, after upsetting Elise Mertens in Hobart for a second career title.
The 25-year-old world No. 67 is expected to jump into the top 50 for the first time after the 6-4 3-6 6-0 result on Saturday afternoon.
The unseeded Kessler beat higher-ranked Elina Avanesyan and top seed Dayana Yastremska on her way to the final in a big confidence boost ahead of Sunday's Australian Open.
She is the third American in a row to win Hobart after Lauren Davis (2023) and Emma Navarro (2024) - the latter has gone on to crack the top 10.
Kessler, who smoked 44 winners to second seed Mertens' 13, has surged up the rankings after being No.207 at the same time last year.
"The first title (in Cleveland in August) was amazing. But knowing I can do it again … feels really great," she said.
"The biggest thing (in my rise) is mentally and showing up every day to practice."
Kessler is among 19 American women set to feature at Melbourne Park - there are 18 currently ranked inside the top 100.
"I know Emma (Navarro) decently well. Growing up we played against each other a decent amount and at college as well," she said.
"It makes it fun to play alongside other American players and compete with rankings, but also in a friendly way.
"You want your fellow Americans to do well."
Kessler will start favourite against world No.205 Chinese wildcard Shuai Zhang in the opening round in Melbourne.
Mertens, who won in Hobart in 2017 and 2018, will play Swiss qualifier Viktorija Golubic before a potential second-round match against seventh seed Jessica Pegula.
Pegula's round-one opponent is 18-year-old Australian young gun Maya Joint, who made a stunning run to the Hobart semi-finals before losing to Mertens.
