Taylor Townsend has reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam in singles for just the second time in her career after delivering a shocking upset against Mirra Andreeva.
Townsend, who has yet to drop a set at the US Open, defeated the fifth seed 7-5, 6-2 in round three to set up a clash with former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.
Her triumph follows the fallout from her altercation with Jelena Ostapenko in the second round, which has sparked debate across the tennis world.
At the end of their match, Ostapenko confronted Townsend for refusing to apologise after winning a point via a net cord, later telling the 29-year-old she had ‘no class’ and ‘no education’.
Stars from both the ATP and WTA tours have weighed in on the situation, most of whom have come to the defence of the American.
After reaching the fourth round, Townsend told the media how the incident has affected her in the last few days.
Taylor Townsend reflects on the fallout from her altercation with Jelena Ostapenko
In her post-match press conference, she said: “It hasn’t been hard at all. I said to my team I am made for this type of stuff.
“I really feel like it wasn’t hard because I stood to my truth, so I did not have to defend anything that I said. What I said I said and I meant.
“For me, it was also good because I had doubles the next day, so I had to get right back on the page, because at the end of the day, I would never allow any drama or anything on the outside to deter me from what my goal is when I step into the lines on court.
“When I step into those gates, nothing that is happening on the outside matters. That is how I was raised, and I am really embodying that thought process.
“When I got out onto the court and into the practice court and match court, it was about business. It was the same tonight.
“It’s a different type of challenge and exposure, my social media and all of the people being able to have access and things to say.
“I said to my team that I did not know this many people had my phone number! So many text messages and stuff, and just trying to filter through those things.
“But I really took the time to be intentional to shut it off, so when I got to the hotel, I said I am done. I put my phone down and put it on do not disturb, and stopped.
“In the morning, I cut it off, so when it’s time to do the job, it’s time to do the job.”
Taylor Townsend’s results at the 2025 US Open so far
Townsend has competed in three different events at the US Open this year, featuring in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Alongside Ben Shelton in the revamped mixed doubles competition, the two compatriots reached the quarterfinals before bowing out to the team of Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison.
In doubles, Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, who together have hoisted Grand Slam titles, remain in the draw after their first-round victory.
The US star is enjoying one of the best singles campaigns of her career so far, earning wins over seeded stars Ostapenko and Andreeva.
She now has the chance to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time with a victory over Krejcikova in round four.
