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Barbora Krejčíková saved eight match points to defeat Taylor Townsend in a thrilling US Open clash, reaching the quarter-finals after a dramatic 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 victory.
Barbora Krejcikova pulled off a stunner against a shell-shocked Taylor Townsend (AP)
Barbora Krejčíková produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of this year’s US Open, saving eight match points before defeating American Taylor Townsend in a pulsating three-set battle on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals.
The two-time Grand Slam singles champion eventually prevailed 1-6, 7-6 (15/13), 6-3 after a gruelling 3-hour, 4-minute tussle, booking a last-eight showdown against American fourth seed Jessica Pegula.
Krejcikova’s EIGHT MPs saved1 – Krejcikova FH winner2 – Krejcikova FH winner3 – Krejcikova FH approach unturned4 – Townsend BH UE5 -Krejcikova BH winner6 – Krejcikova volley winner7 – Krejcikova FH winner8 – Krejcikova big unreturned serve pic.twitter.com/jcC2fooV27
– José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 31, 2025
A Match That Defied Belief
For much of the contest, it appeared Krejčíková was heading for the exit. Townsend, unseeded and chasing a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final, dominated the opening set and surged to within a game of victory in the second, holding match point on Krejčíková’s serve at 5-4.
But the Czech star, who has battled through injury setbacks this season, refused to concede. Rallying from the brink, she forced a tie-break that turned into one of the most extraordinary in tournament history.
Townsend led 3-1 in the breaker and generated seven additional match points, yet Krejčíková’s resilience and variety of shot-making kept her alive. On her fifth set point, the 2021 French Open champion finally closed it out 15-13, sending Arthur Ashe Stadium into disbelief.
From there, momentum shifted. Krejčíková broke for 5-3 in the decider before sealing the match with a composed service hold, completing a comeback that will be remembered as one of the great escapes of the Open.
“I Didn’t Know If I Would Ever Be Back”
After the win, an emotional Krejčíková reflected on her long road back to form following a back injury that sidelined her earlier this year.
“What a match,” Krejčíková said on court. “Just four months ago I was off the court, I couldn’t play, I couldn’t practice, I didn’t know if I would ever be back. I still can’t believe that I’m standing here having an interview with you right now. I was sidelined for six months and didn’t know if I would ever play again. I’m super happy I can be here.”
“It Stings, But It Motivates Me”
For Townsend, the loss was agonising. The 28-year-old left-hander admitted she felt the victory was within her grasp, only for Krejčíková to conjure brilliance under pressure.
“It just stings, because I literally gave everything, and I gave everything,” Townsend said. “She came up with some really, really great tennis in moments where she was down, and I thought I had it.”
(with agency inputs)
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
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