American Taylor Townsend achieved a significant upset at the US Open by defeating 25th seed Jeļena Ostapenko, leading to a heated exchange at the net. Townsend secured her victory with a 7-5, 6-1 win on Court 11, after which tensions flared during the customary post-match handshake.
The altercation began when Ostapenko, known for her fiery temperament, accused Townsend of not apologizing for a net cord shot that aided her win. Townsend, unfazed by the accusation, responded, “No, I don’t have to,” as the home crowd vocally supported her. The exchange continued with Townsend advising Ostapenko on sportsmanship: “You can learn how to take a loss better: ‘Thank you so much, great job, great play.'” Ostapenko allegedly responded with a gesture towards the crowd before exiting the court.
In her on-court interview, Townsend elaborated on the incident, stating, “It’s competition, people get upset when they lose. Some people say bad things.” She further revealed Ostapenko’s remarks about her class and education, adding, “I’m looking forward to it. I beat her in Canada outside the US, I beat her in New York [inside] the US, so let’s see what else she has to say.”
Jack Draper’s Withdrawal and Casper Ruud’s Exit
Meanwhile, on the men’s side, fifth seed Jack Draper was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an arm injury. Draper, who had reached the second round with a victory over Federico Agustin Gomez, cited discomfort in his left arm as the reason for his withdrawal before his match against Zizou Bergs.
“I’m sorry to say I’ll be withdrawing from the US Open,” Draper announced on social media. “I tried my very best to be here and give myself every chance to play, but the discomfort in my arm has become too much.”
Draper’s withdrawal marks a setback in his season, having already missed time since his second-round exit at Wimbledon. His absence leaves a gap in the men’s draw as he was a semifinalist in last year’s US Open.
Adding to the day’s surprises, 2022 finalist Casper Ruud was knocked out in a grueling five-set match against 107th-ranked Raphael Collignon. Ruud’s defeat, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, highlights his ongoing struggles this season. The Norwegian, who has faced challenges throughout the year, including a knee injury and early exits from other tournaments, now faces questions about his form.
Djokovic’s Resilience and American Hopes
In contrast to the upsets, Novak Djokovic demonstrated resilience by overcoming an early setback to defeat American qualifier Zachary Svajda. Despite making 14 unforced errors in the first set, Djokovic recovered to win 6-7(5/7), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1, securing his place in the third round against Cameron Norrie.
Emma Raducanu, another notable player, advanced smoothly into the third round for the first time since her 2021 title run. She defeated Indonesian qualifier Janice Tjen 6-2, 6-1, showcasing her return to form at the hardcourt tournament.
“I’m particularly happy, because on the court, I felt like my opponent was playing really good tennis. I thought that she was very dangerous,” Raducanu told reporters.
American hopes remain high as fourth seed Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz continue their campaigns. Pegula dispatched Anna Blinkova with ease, while Fritz overcame South African Lloyd Harris in four sets. Both players are part of a contingent aiming to end a 22-year American men’s drought at the US Open.
Looking Ahead
The US Open continues to deliver drama and excitement as players navigate the challenges of the Grand Slam. As the tournament progresses, the focus will be on how emerging talents and seasoned veterans handle the pressures of the competition.
For Taylor Townsend, her next challenge is against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, a match that could further cement her status as a formidable competitor on home soil. Meanwhile, the men’s draw will adjust to the absence of Draper and the unexpected exit of Ruud, opening opportunities for other players to make their mark.
As the tournament unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see who can rise to the occasion and claim victory at one of tennis’s most prestigious events.
