CHICAGO — Englewood native Taylor Townsend, playing in her third-ever Grand Slam tournament, was beaten 6-3, 6-1 by 17-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams late Tuesday night at the U.S. Open.
"Well....... that was fun!!!!" Townsend tweeted after the loss.
Well....... that was fun!!!!
— Taylor Townsend (@Taylor_Townsen) August 27, 2014Williams, seeking her third straight U.S. Open championship, routed her 18-year-old opponent at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Americans' first meeting, which was televised nationally by ESPN.
"She's just incredibly talented, and she's just so good," Williams said of Townsend to ESPN after her win.
Justin Breen says the loss could serve as a learning moment for Townsend:
The 32-year-old Williams, the No. 1 player in the world, is seeking her third straight U.S. Open crown.
Townsend, who considers Williams her idol, won the match's first point on her serve. But Williams broke her the next time around to grab a 2-1 lead on her way to an opening-set victory, where Townsend had five winners but 11 unforced errors.
Townsend was broken on her first service game of the second set and never threatened again. For the match, she had eight winners, two aces and 20 unforced errors.
Townsend, a graduate of Lenart Regional Gifted Center in Chatham and a product of XS Tennis, made international headlines when she advanced to the third round of the French Open.
Several members of XS Tennis were in attendance to watch Townsend's match Tuesday in New York.
In the last year, Townsend has improved her WTA ranking from the mid-500s to her current spot at No. 103 in the world. Prior to Tuesday's match, Townsend was 26-9 in singles play this year and had earned nearly $200,000.
Townsend received one of eight wild card spots for the U.S. Open.
Before Thursday's draw, Townsend's coach, Kamau Murray, had hoped his star player could win a few matches at the country's most important tennis tournament.
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