Taylor Townsend continues her run at the U.S. Open. The American knocked out a seeded opponent and then burst into tears.
Taylor Townsend has once again pulled off a major upset at the US Open, reaching the round of 16 for the third time in her career. The 30-year-old American defeated 15th-seeded Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3 in the third round and burst into tears after clinching the match.
Now the fan favorite faces a showdown with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. For Townsend, it’s one of the biggest highlights of her career. “I’m absolutely over the moon,” she said on the court, laughing.
Townsend Sheds Tears
After a dominant first set against Shnaider, Townsend already seemed on her way to victory. But the current world No. 96 had to dig deep after losing the tiebreak in the second set. In the decisive set, she maintained control against the tournament’s No. 15 seed and secured her spot in the round of 16 after 2 hours and 27 minutes.
For Townsend, this marks the second year in a row that she has reached the round of 16 at her home Grand Slam. She always plays at her best in New York.
Townsend was once predicted to have a stellar career. As a junior, she won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open, and was also ranked No. 1 in the world. But on the professional circuit, her big breakthrough has yet to materialize. Her highest ranking came in 2024, when she reached No. 46.
The left-hander has struggled with her weight throughout her career. Patrick McEnroe, then head of player development for the U.S. Tennis Association, resorted to drastic and widely criticized measures even during her junior days. The association cut off Townsend’s travel expense coverage until she lost weight. “I cried; I was devastated,” the player recalled years later.
In doubles, meanwhile, Townsend has been a world-class player for years. She has already won three Grand Slams with Katerina Siniakova and was ranked No. 1 in the world in 2025. She is currently ranked second.
