Taylor Townsend’s run at the US Open ended dramatically after a fourth-round encounter in which Barbora Krejcikova mounted a stunning comeback to win in three sets.
Townsend, a fan favourite who had produced a series of spirited performances in Queens, dominated the opening set and appeared on course for a milestone grand slam quarter-final appearance.
The second set turned into a tense tiebreak in which Krejcikova produced a resilient display under extreme pressure, saving multiple match points and swinging the momentum back in her favour.
In the decider, the Czech former Wimbledon champion kept up the intensity and tactical precision that has characterised her best performances, eventually closing out the match and leaving Townsend in tears as she left the court.
The match highlighted both Townsend’s attacking flair and Krejcikova’s mental toughness; commentators praised the Czech’s ability to raise her level at critical junctures and her capacity to convert nearly impossible defensive positions into momentum-shifting points.
For Townsend, the defeat is painful but part of a larger narrative of a player who has captured public affection through grit, athleticism and an emotive playing style.
For Krejcikova, the victory propels her deeper into the tournament and sets up a high-profile quarter-final against another top seed.
The result is a reminder of tennis’s razor-thin margins: a few points can define careers and alter tournament trajectories, while the psychological drama of saving match points often separates champions from also-rans.
As the US Open progresses, both players will reflect on lessons learned — Townsend on how to close out tight moments, and Krejcikova on the kind of dogged resilience that keeps elite players in contention at the sport’s biggest events.
Townsend, a fan favourite who had produced a series of spirited performances in Queens, dominated the opening set and appeared on course for a milestone grand slam quarter-final appearance.
The second set turned into a tense tiebreak in which Krejcikova produced a resilient display under extreme pressure, saving multiple match points and swinging the momentum back in her favour.
In the decider, the Czech former Wimbledon champion kept up the intensity and tactical precision that has characterised her best performances, eventually closing out the match and leaving Townsend in tears as she left the court.
The match highlighted both Townsend’s attacking flair and Krejcikova’s mental toughness; commentators praised the Czech’s ability to raise her level at critical junctures and her capacity to convert nearly impossible defensive positions into momentum-shifting points.
For Townsend, the defeat is painful but part of a larger narrative of a player who has captured public affection through grit, athleticism and an emotive playing style.
For Krejcikova, the victory propels her deeper into the tournament and sets up a high-profile quarter-final against another top seed.
The result is a reminder of tennis’s razor-thin margins: a few points can define careers and alter tournament trajectories, while the psychological drama of saving match points often separates champions from also-rans.
As the US Open progresses, both players will reflect on lessons learned — Townsend on how to close out tight moments, and Krejcikova on the kind of dogged resilience that keeps elite players in contention at the sport’s biggest events.
