Krejcikova Survives Townsend in Epic US Open Duel
Barbora Krejcikova saved eight match points in a second set that extended to a 25-minute tiebreak, achieving an agonizing victory over American Taylor Townsend with a score of 1-6, 7-6 (13), 6-3 in an exciting US Open match. The crowd, backing Townsend, chanted her name, supporting the player who became a tournament favorite after her match with Jelena Ostapenko in the second round. Townsend was repeatedly one point away from reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final. Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam champion, saved seven match points in the tiebreak, broke Townsend’s serve twice in the third set, and advanced to the next round, where she will face the number 4 seed, Jessica Pegula.For Krejcikova, this will be her sixth appearance in the quarterfinals of a major tournament, and the first since she won Wimbledon in 2024. She has reached this stage in four of the last five years, missing only in 2023. After the match, Townsend embraced Krejcikova at the net and, visibly moved, sat in her court chair, wiping her eyes with a towel while receiving a standing ovation.I really gave it my all. She played incredible tennis at crucial moments, and I thought I had it.
Taylor Townsend
In her thirty-first Grand Slam appearance, Townsend came closer than ever to reaching the quarterfinals. In 2019, in her only other fourth-round appearance, she lost to eventual champion Bianca Andreescu. Townsend continues in the women’s doubles tournament, being the number 1 pair alongside Katerina Siniakova, who won a Grand Slam in doubles with Krejcikova. Krejcikova, winner of the 2021 Roland Garros and 2024 Wimbledon, missed almost five months at the beginning of this season due to a back injury. She worked hard to reach her second semifinal in New York. In the third round, she came back to beat American Emma Navarro in two and a half hours, and on Sunday she needed 3 hours and 4 minutes, with 98 minutes just for the second set. Townsend had the first chance to win when she had a break point on Krejcikova’s serve at 5-4 in the third set. Krejcikova won that game and the next to go up 6-5 before Townsend broke to force the marathon tiebreak. After Townsend’s victory over Ostapenko, the Latvian told her that she “had no class” and “had no education” in a discussion at the net. Ostapenko then apologized in a social media post. Then, Townsend surprised Mirra Andreeva, the number 5 seed, in the third round and won the first set on Sunday in just 28 minutes.I am really enjoying this audience. Even if it’s not for me, but for the Americans, it’s fine. I hope to see them again in my next match, I think against another American.
Barbora Krejcikova
I’m glad I was able to win over the fans and that people can discover who I am, and even more, play my best tennis and offer a great show, giving the fans what they deserve, which is great tennis. I gave everything I could.
Taylor Townsend
