(August 29, 2025) FLUSHING, NY – “Welcome to the show,” said No. 1 doubles player Taylor Townsend after she upset 18-year-old and No. 5 Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-2 in the third round on Friday night at the US Open in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Andreeva came into the round of 32 dropping only a few games, while Townsend, 29 and ranked 139 in the world, had to deal with kerfuffle after defeating No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko in a second-round clash.
Townsend had to rally from 2-0 down in the first set but used her all-court and serve-and-volley game to come back and take the set 7-5.
Former player and commentator doing the US Open said that the Chicago native was beating the Russian using what she termed “Crush and Rush” tennis. Not many players play serve-and-volley tennis, so the teen was probably not used to dealing with it.
The second set began just like the first. Townsend was broken in the first game and down 2-0, won the next 6 straight games to close out the match and move into the Sweet 16.
“Yeah, I love being able to walk out on that court,” Townsend said in regard to playing in Ashe. “It’s funny, because I don’t think the last time I played it was the fireworks and the smoke and all that stuff. It makes for a great photo.
“But, yeah, it’s always very special to me. It’s such a beautiful court. The atmosphere is unlike any other. Truly, it’s unlike any other.
“When I walked out, I wasn’t nervous at all. Like, when I walked out, at first I had music in, and I took my headphones out and I turned my phone off because I wanted to hear everything. I wanted to hear the people. I wanted to hear the noise. I wanted to hear them call my name and for me to be able to walk out through that tunnel and to see everything. I wanted to be 100% present in that moment. I loved it. So I’m happy that I made that choice.
“But every time, you know, whether it’s third round or Grand Slam final, it’s something that, you know, is unlike any other thing. It’s special every time, honestly.”
Townsend had her first significant victory on that court in 2019, when she beat No. 4 Simona Halep as a 23-year-old.
She talked about both victories during her news conference:
“In 2019 I felt like I was, like, climbing, and I was trying to get over the hump, and there were, like, so many opportunities where I was, like, I almost got there and didn’t get it. Almost got there and didn’t get it. I felt like that match, when I played Halep was a turning point for me where I got over that hump of finally just, I got one, you know what I’m saying?
“I just felt like it helped validate me as a player, and then I was able to continue, and then I ended up losing to Bianca in three sets and she ended up winning the tournament.
“This time it just feels completely different. I wasn’t searching for anything, I wasn’t looking, trying to find answers; I had all the answers in here.
“I was so confident and so sure of myself and what I was doing and how I was executing, that it didn’t matter if I hit the back fence, hit the bottom of the net, it didn’t matter. I just kept going.
“So it just felt completely different. I’m a totally different person than I was in 2019, and I think that that showed. That’s what’s really cool about tennis in these moments, you’re able to reflect and look even at the mannerisms and how I carried myself then and now, you’ll be able to see it’s a different woman.”
When asked about how difficult the last 48 hours have been, which included the controversy with a heated discussion from Jelena Ostpenko she said:
Ostapenko said some words to Townsend which began a heated exchange.
US Open: Townsend and Ostapenko Get into an Argument at the Net After Townsend Wins
US Open: Aftermath of Townsend-Ostapenko
“It hasn’t been hard at all. You know, I said to my team, I’m made for this type of stuff.
I really feel like, you know, it wasn’t hard, because I stood in my truth. So there was, I didn’t have to defend anything that I said. What I said, I said, and I meant.
“So, you know, for me, it was also good because I had doubles the next day. So I had to get right back on the page, because at the end of the day, I would never allow any drama or anything on the outside to deter me from what my goal is when I step into the lines on the court. When I step into those gates, nothing that’s happening on the outside matters.
“That’s how I was raised and I’m really embodying that thought process. When I got out onto the court, when I got onto the practice court, when I got out onto the match court, it was about business. It was the same tonight.
“You know, it’s a different type of challenge, right? It’s a different type of exposure, and, you know, my social media and all of the, you know, people being able to have access and things to say. I said to my team, Dang, I didn’t know this many people had my phone number. So many text messages and stuff, just trying to filter through those things.
“But I also, I really took the time to be intentional to, like, shut it off. When I got to the hotel and I said, Okay, I’m done. I put my phone down and I put it on “do not disturb.” I stopped. In the morning I cut it off.
“So when it’s time to do the job, it’s time to do the job. And that’s what I think is a testament to being professional, being able to block out what’s on the outside and when you step in the lines you handle business.”
She is grateful for the support that the public has given her: “People being able to see me now, but then being able to go back and go back into history or my history and follow my journey and figure out how has she gotten here, I think that’s super cool, and I think that’s one of the things that people are resonating with.
“You know, it’s been amazing. You know, even before all this stuff happened, prior to the tournament starting, I did my popup shop and I hosted a couple of events during Fan Week after the mixed doubles. And I just said it’s not often you get a chance to be up close and personal with people who have been following you since you were a junior.
“I just have gotten so much love and support on a personal level from fans and people who are just really supporting and rocking with me. I took that and I’m, like, Wow, this is amazing.
“So, you know, it can be a lot at times, but the great thing is a lot of this stuff has been happening on social media, so it is kind of a distance away from it, as well.
“But I’m embracing it. I’m embracing it and enjoying it. Like I said, it’s cool because I’m just showing up as myself so I don’t have to be anything else but me. If you like it, you like it. If you don’t, you don’t. Whatever.
“I think that’s the cool thing, because I’m just truly showing up as myself, and I think people see that and I think it’s cool they like what I see. I think I’m pretty cool. I think I’m funny. I think that’s all that matters.
“So, yeah, it’s cool, but I’m enjoying the journey, enjoying the ride. It’s not over yet. Got doubles tomorrow, so I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
Next up for Townsend will be a two-time major winner, Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic.
More to follow…
