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American Jennifer Brady has revealed a practice hit with Ashleigh Barty before the Brisbane International helped give her the belief to defeat the world No.1.

World No.1 Ashleigh Barty may need to screen her practice partners in the future.

American qualifier Jennifer Brady has revealed a hit-out with Barty days before the Brisbane International provided a confidence boost which helped her to an upset second-round win over the Australian at Pat Rafter Arena on Thursday.

"That always helps, practising with the top players, which I never really did before," the world No.53 said.

"It gives you a bit of confidence knowing that you can play at that level, you belong at that level."

Brady, who had toppled five-time grand slam winner Maria Sharapova on Tuesday, shocked Barty with a combination of accurate serving and powerful baseline hitting.

The 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win was the 24-year-old's first success against a top 10 player and she added one-eyed Queensland enthusiasm for Barty's appearance had given her extra motivation to topple the 23-year-old.

"I knew the entire crowd pretty much was going to be for Ash," Brady said.

"Even just the past few days the drivers have been, 'Oh, when's Ash playing?'

"But I think that was a great atmosphere. I wouldn't change that for the world."

Brady will aim to continue her giant-killing run in the quarter-finals when she takes on two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova for a place in the last four.

"I feel like a different person, a better person, fresh, mentally, physically, yeah, I feel good."