Taylor Townsend rides a moment in the spotlight into the US Open’s fourth round after stunning Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The American, unseeded in singles and far from the tournament’s biggest stars, capitalized on the prime-time stage to reach the fourth round for the first time since 2019. Townsend has dominated in doubles—recently claiming Wimbledon title last year and the Australian Open earlier this year with partner Katerina Siniakova—and her singles run has become one of the tournament’s most talked-about stories, partly because of a postmatch clash with Jelena Ostapenko that drew widespread chatter.
“It’s bigger than me. It’s about the message. It’s about the representation. It’s about being bold and being able to show up as yourself, and I did that tonight. You guys saw the real Taylor Townsend tonight,” Townsend said after defeating Andreeva.
Townsend hopes the heightened attention—positive and constructive—can draw more fans to tennis and to the Open. “If I’m someone who can draw huge crowds into the stadiums as a name that can bring people to come and buy tickets and support the game, then that’s a crown that I’ll gladly wear,” she added.
Her clash with Ostapenko followed a heated exchange after Townsend won their match in straight sets, with Ostapenko allegedly berating Townsend over a net-cord call and directing insults at her intellect and character. Townsend, while not certain the remarks carried racial undertones, acknowledged the enduring stereotype of being deemed “not educated” within the sport’s largely white arena. Several prominent players, including Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, publicly expressed support for Townsend.
Townsend’s road to this moment is rooted in a long road back. The U.S. Tennis Association once held her out of junior competition amid fitness concerns, delaying funding and tournament appearances in 2012. Since then, she has flourished on the doubles circuit, and she now stands as the top seed in doubles at the US Open with Siniakova.
In singles, Townsend has not yet advanced beyond the fourth round at a major. She will face Barbora Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, in the next match. If Townsend can push past Krejcikova and reach the quarterfinals, she sees a bigger message: it’s okay to stand up for oneself and to be unapologetically authentic, even when the spotlight is intense.
What this moment represents goes beyond a single win. It highlights a growing narrative about representation in tennis, the power of athletes to advocate for themselves, and the potential to attract new fans to the sport. Townsend’s resilience—both on and off the court—offers a hopeful storyline about inclusion, perseverance, and bold leadership in athletics.
Summary: Taylor Townsend’s upset win over Mirra Andreeva advances her to the US Open fourth round, amplifying a broader conversation about representation and resilience sparked by a dramatic postmatch exchange with Ostapenko. With a doubles pedigree and a new singles spotlight, Townsend embodies a message of being true to oneself while challenging stereotypes and aiming to inspire the next generation of players.