Monday, September 1, 2025

Czechs still bringing the drama at the U.S. Open--part 2: match point madness

Yesterday, I wrote about Barbora Krejcikova's coming back from 0-3 in the third set to defeat Emma Navarro. It turns out that that was child's play. Yesterday, in her three-hour round of 16 match against Taylor Townsend, the Czech star saved eight match points, six of which she saved in a second-set, 25-minute tiebreak. It was one of those tennis occurrences that--even though you were watching it--you couldn't quite believe it was happening. But then--a Czech player was involved.

Townsend won the first set 6-1, and--not to take anything from away her excellent play--but Krejcikova didn't seem to be wholly "there," and her forehand--usually her main weapon--was a mess. Apparently, getting trounced in the first set was all that she needed to turn on the switch--the second set was a different story, in that it was--whatever is beyond "highly competitive." Krejcikova saved two match points and brought the set to a tiebreak, which spectators will probably continue to think of as a set unto itself.

Townsend, who seemed undeterred by her opponent's resurgence (she saved three set points), created six more match points--and Krejcikova saved all of them, finally winning the tiebreak 15-13. By this time, the Krejcikova forehand had become lethal, especially in its cross-court version--though her down-the-lines-were also stunning. The third set was also competitive: Krejckova immediately went up a break, lost it, won it back, and then won the set 6-4, giving her a dramatic victory.

The Czech star missed the first four months of the season because of a back injury, and she also had to deal with an illness earlier in the season. Since returning to the tour, she has won twelve matches, and in three of them, she had to save match points.  

Krejcikova's countrywoman (and fellow Wimbledon champion), Marketa Vondrousova--who has experienced some of the most chronic injury woes on the tour (she's had two surgeries in the past three years)--arrived healthy in New York, and last night, played a highly anticipated match against another Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina. At her best, Vondrousova makes the toughest shots look "oh, I do this every day" easy, and last night, she was at her best. 

Aside from being Wimbledon champions, Vondrousova and Rybakina have something else in common: They were both cool, collected, no-nonsense players, and it's a pleasure to watch them compete against each other. Their match on Arthur Ashe Stadium last night was a beautiful display of tennis, with Vondrousova emerging as the victor, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. And while there was none of the drama of Krejcikova's match, the last game was pretty dramatic: Vondrousova, down 15-40, closed the match with three aces (she hit thirteen total), and a winner. Cool and collected indeed.

Earlier in the day, Jessica Pegula defeated countrywoman Ann Li 6-1, 6-2, and top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-4. 

Round of 16 play will be completed today. 

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