Taylor Townsend has stormed into the US Open third round, but her win over Jelena Ostapenko has been overshadowed by their heated post-match argument.
Townsend defeated Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 in their second round match, which was played at Court 11 at Flushing Meadows.
After the match, however, the Latvian seemingly took exception to a net cord that went in Townsend’s favour, which the American didn’t apologise for.
A tense discussion ensued between the WTA pair, of which Townsend said on-court afterwards: “It’s competition, people get upset when they lose.
“Some people say bad things. She told me I have no class, I have no education, and to see what happens when we get outside the US.”
Ben Shelton reacts to Jelena Ostapenko’s ‘shocking comments’ towards Taylor Townsend
Ben Shelton, who played mixed doubles with Townsend at the US Open this year, has since reacted to the comments.
He said in his latest press conference in New York: “I didn’t completely hear or understand everything that happened.
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“I guess some shocking comments towards her. It’s not the smartest thing to say to an American in New York City.
“But she handles her business. I am always going to back Taylor. I don’t know exactly what happened during the match but I am happy for her that she is making a run in the singles.
“We didn’t do what we wanted to do in the mixed. But she is making up for it and like she said after the match, she spoke with her racket. I am just happy to see her win.”
And when asked why he thinks it was shocking, he replied: “I mean, what was the comment? She is not educated? That kind of speaks for itself, right? Crazy statement.”
How did Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton perform in US Open mixed doubles?
Townsend is the current world number one in doubles, with two Grand Slams won by the American in that format during her career so far.
But she fell well short of mixed doubles success earlier at the US Open, falling in the quarterfinals alongside Shelton.
The all-American duo were expected to go deep in the tournament, and started off strongly with a 4-2, 5-4(7-2) first round win over Amanda Anisimov and Holger Rune.
But their run was abruptly ended by compatriots Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison, who were last-minute replacements after Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal, winning 4-1, 5-4(7-2).
Shelton rates Townsend highly in mixed doubles, but the latter is currently proving her ability in singles as well.
She beat Antonia Ruzic 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of her home Grand Slam, although faces a very tough test against fifth seed Mirra Andreeva next.
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