NEW YORK — Taylor Townsend pulled off a dramatic upset in the U.S. Open second round, beating No. 25 seed Jelena Ostapenko 7–5, 6–1 — but it was the heated post-match confrontation at the net that left the biggest impression on Flushing Meadows Wednesday.
Townsend, competing as a wild card and ranked well outside the top 100, rallied from 3–5 down in the opening set before seizing control and closing the match in straight sets amid loud support from the Court 11 crowd. The victory sends Townsend into the third round and represents one of the tournament’s early surprises.
The tone shifted after the last point. Video and eyewitness reports show Ostapenko confronting Townsend at the net, accusing her of being “disrespectful” for not apologizing after a crucial net-cord winner and later saying Townsend had “no education” and “no class.” The interaction escalated into a tense exchange that drew boos from the crowd and immediate media attention.
Townsend responded to reporters by calling the moment a product of “competition” and emotion on the court, insisting she maintained her professionalism. She said she chose to “let my racket talk” and expressed pride in her performance while rejecting the personal attack. According to her post-match comments, she didn’t want to amplify the incident beyond the match itself.
Ostapenko expanded on her grievances off-court, posting on social media that she felt Townsend’s actions during the match — including perceived unusual behavior during warm-ups and failing to apologize for the net ball — were disrespectful and warranted confrontation. The Latvian Grand Slam champion later denied that her words carried a racial intent when challenged by reporters.
The incident has sparked wider conversation about on-court etiquette and emotional control at Grand Slams. Observers pointed to the intensity of today’s match and the ease with which competitive heat can spill into personal remarks when tensions run high. Several outlets and commentators highlighted the optics of the exchange and urged cooler heads as the tournament progresses.
Despite the controversy, the immediate tournament storyline is Townsend’s advance. The American will face rising talent Mirra Andreeva in the third round, a matchup that promises another high-intensity encounter as the event moves deeper into the draw. Ostapenko, meanwhile, leaves Flushing Meadows earlier than seeded expectations and will likely address the episode and her comments in the coming days.
What to watch next
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Townsend vs. Mirra Andreeva — a player in form vs. a fast-rising young star; nerves and momentum will be decisive.
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Reactions from the tour — players and officials may weigh in on sportsmanship and conduct as social media amplifies the exchange.
