US Open Day 4 takeaways: surprises on women’s side, Taylor Townsend this week’s star
Disrupters emerged with Simona Halep, Petra Kvitová, and Aryna Sabalenka exiting at the conclusion of round two. As we get closer to the second week, contenders are emerging.
The latest former slam champ to bow out early on the women’s side was Simona Halep on Thursday, ending her chances of achieving her first US Open title, despite being one of the top contenders. Her defeat came at the hands of another American breakout star and world No. 118 and qualifier, Taylor Townsend, who thrilled the partisan crowd with the home country win, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(4).
Although Halep took the first set with relative ease, she seemed to give in to her temper, which has hampered her in the past, smashing a racquet out of frustration. 23-year-old Townsend took full advantage, surging ahead to take charge of the following two sets, in her first victory over a Top 10 player.
"“I’m not surprised because she can play well,” Halep said to reporters in her post-match press conference, according to Business Insider.“But always when you play with top player, you have nothing to lose. You feel free on court. So that’s why maybe she was able to do it 100 percent correct.”"
Townsend’s highest ranking has been No. 61. She’s had a difficult, uneven career, and is yet to win a WTA title. While Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Sonia Kenin, Amanda Anisimova, Alison Riske, Danielle Collins, Coco Gauff and of course Serena and Venus Williams represent the incredible depth of talent of current American women’s tennis, Townsend’s name has been lost in the shuffle. But at this year’s US Open, she is getting her moment to shine and demonstrate the talent she’s been known for. Taylor Townsend is sure to rise in the rankings afterwards as well.
“This was a huge, monumental moment. It was a very defining moment for me to realize that I belong here,” said a proud Townsend.
Her compatriot Collins—the Cinderella story of this year’s Aussie Open when she made the semis—sprinted out of the gate to take the first set off of Caroline Wozniacki, who turned the match around for the win, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Alison Riske—who famously knocked out then-No. 1 seed Ashleigh Barty at Wimbledon—also bowed out in straight sets to former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, 6-4, 6-3.
Meanwhile 15-year phenomenon, Coco Gauff, is continuing to set the Flushing Meadows stage ablaze with another tough, three-set win, over Timea Babos, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, to set up a marquee third round matchup against world No. 1 Naomi Osaka on Saturday (bring your popcorn for that one).
Two big names on the women’s side went out on Thursday, including ninth seed Aryna Sabalenka—losing to Yulia Putintseva, 6-3, 7-6(3), and Australian Open finalist and sixth seed Petra Kvitová to Andrea Petkovic, 6-4, 6-4. The Kvitová loss wasn’t that much of a surprise considering that she’s entered the US Open still struggling with the wrist injury that’s plagued her as of late.
Rapidly emerging as a favorite, Bianca Andreescu handed Kristen Flipkens a two-set defeat, 6-3, 7-5. The Canadian teenager has been nothing short of a sensation, and it wouldn’t be surprising if she makes the final, let alone collects her maiden slam at Flushing Meadows. It’s been that kind of thrilling, breakthrough year for the 19-year-old.
On the men’s side, USA’s Tennys Sandgren is still progressing, defeating Canada’s Vasek Pospisil—on the cusp of his comeback from surgery and recuperation—in four sets, 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4.
Speaking of comebacks, Stan Wawrinka is exhibiting the perseverance that lead him to take the title from Novak Djokovic in 2016, defeating James Chardy, 6-4, 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3. Wawrinka’s road back into the Top 30 after an injury absence as has been a remarkable story this year.
Alexander Zverev emerged the victor from his much-touted match against NextGen star Frances Tiafoe, once again going five sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. The question remains if he can keep up this kind of pace of exhausting matches, which has been the trend in slams for him, until he peters out.
Rafael Nadal had the easiest of second rounds, with a walk-over due to Thanasi Kokkinakis withdrawing because of injury.
Nick Kyrgios is keeping his temper in check and has been all-business, making him a formidable foe for any player. He won his match over Antoine Hoang in three very efficient sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. He’s still waiting to see if there will be repercussions over calling the ATP “corrupt” the other day, however. Stay tuned, the saga with Kyrgios never ends.
Still questionable is the state of Novak Djokovic’s shoulder when he takes court in the third round on Friday.
Stay tuned here for all your US Open and tennis action. For my predictions for the final slam of the year, listen to Just End the Suffering podcast here. Round three takes place Friday and Saturday , all viewable on ESPN.