Still Feeling It! Townsend to US Open Quarterfinals for Second Year in a Row

Still Feeling It! Townsend into fourth round of US Open for second straight year NEW YORK -- Taylor Townsend was the darling of the US Open's first week last year. Twelve months later, she done it again. The 30-year-old American, who said she was 'feeling it' after her second-round win over Taylah Preston on Wednesday, kept the good vibes going on Friday with an upset of 15th seed Diana Shnaider. Unlike her first two matches in Queens this week, which were dominant wins over 20th seed Maja Chwalinska and Preston, Shnaider was an incredibly tough out. The French Open semifinalist won the second set in a tiebreaker before Townsend rebounded to take the decider for the 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-3 win. The marathon match, which lasted 2 hours and 27 minutes, sends Townsend into the US Open fourth round for the second consecutive year. After Shnaider's last ball sailed wide, Townsend let out a superhero-like celebration, then burst into tears. The Court 17 speakers appropriately played Kelly Clarkson's 'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)' as Townsend warmly embraced her coach, Roger Tyzzer. For Townsend to reach the quarterfinals, where she's never been at the US Open or any other Grand Slam, she'll have to get through World No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, currently on a 16-match winning streak in New York. She's more than a little excited for that marquee matchup. 'I'm f***ing pumped!' she said in her on-court interview. Despite both players being WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz veterans, this will be their first career matchup.