Taylor Townsend succeeded in securing her place in the third round of the 2025 US Open by defeating Jelena Ostapenko with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-1. But this win is a lot more than what meets the eye for Townsend. She became the lowest-ranking American tennis player, at #139, to defeat a Grand Slam champion in a Grand Slam women’s singles event. The last one to do so was Kristie Ahn , and coincidentally, her opponent was also Ostapenko. And the event? It was the 2019 US Open. But this time, things were a bit more intense.

Right after ending the match, the two players clasped their hands. But just as they turned to the sides, Ostapenko seemed to have said something that Townsend didn’t agree with. She could be heard saying , “No, I don’t have to…” And the entire court got hea

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