Taylor Townsend’s dream US Open run got here to a heartbreaking finish as she did not convert eight match factors towards former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday.
The American has discovered herself as arguably the face of the primary week after her second-round opponent Jelena Ostapenko confronted her courtside and accused her of getting no training and no class.
She used the furore with the Latvian as inspiration to propel her to a shock third-round victory over fifth seed Mirra Andreeva.
Together with her four-year-old son AJ within the crowd, Townsend appeared set to succeed in a singles Grand Slam quarter-final for the primary time however Krejcikova one way or the other prevailed in a titanic second-set tie-break earlier than clinching a 1-6 7-6 (15-13) 6-3 victory.
Krejcikova struggled to include her feelings as she stated to the gang: “What a match. Just four months ago I was off the court, I couldn’t play. I had a huge pain in my back. I didn’t know if I’ll ever be back. Now here I am and this is huge. I still cannot believe that I’m standing here.”
Townsend dominated the opening set and appeared poised to win the second as effectively, with Krejcikova saving her first match level within the tenth sport.
It was the tie-break that basically noticed the 29-year-old pull off her Houdini act, although, Krejcikova saving her greatest for when it actually mattered to battle off seven extra match factors, recovering from 3-6 earlier than taking her third set level.
The Czech then took an off-court break, leaving Townsend sat on her chair questioning what may need been, and it was Krejcikova who had the momentum within the deciding set.
Townsend, who nonetheless has an opportunity in doubles, left the courtroom in tears with a towel over her face to cheers from the packed stands on Louis Armstrong Stadium who had roared her on.
One other American subsequent for Krejcikova
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Highlights of the spherical of 16 US Open conflict between Jessica Pegula and Ann Li
Fourth seed Jessica Pegula walloped fellow American Ann Li to arrange a quarter-final date with Krejcikova on Tuesday.
Final 12 months’s runner-up Pegula didn’t have the pre-tournament run she needed, with early exits in Washington, Montreal and Cincinnati, however had not dropped a set in New York and swatted Li apart 6-1 6-2 within the first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Probably the best match, honestly, I’ve played since before Wimbledon I feel like from the start to finish. So that was encouraging,” stated Pegula, who picked up titles in Charleston, Unhealthy Homburg and Austin earlier this 12 months.
“Doing everything well, executing my strategy very well and got through it pretty quick.”
Watch the US Open in New York, dwell on Sky Sports activities or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra dwell sport this 12 months at no further value. Discover out extra right here.
