Taylor Townsend didn’t simply win her second-round match on the U.S. Open — she made headlines for what occurred after the ultimate level, buying and selling sharp phrases with Jelena Ostapenko on the internet in a tense post-match alternate that lit up social media.

Townsend defeated Ostapenko 7-5, 6-1 on the exhausting courts of Flushing Meadows, however the match’s aftermath stole the highlight.

During the handshake, Ostapenko allegedly advised Townsend she had “no class and no education,” criticizing her for not apologizing after a internet twine winner and for not warming up from the baseline.

“She told me that I have no education, no class and to see what happens if we play each other outside of the U.S. And I said I’m excited. Bring it. I’ve never been the one to back down from anything like that, but I just thought that it was really interesting,” Townsend stated after the match.

Townsend, 27, disregarded the confrontation and stated she believed Ostapenko’s conduct stemmed from frustration.

“I chalk that up to competition. I chalk it up to being upset. She pulled out all the stops to try and break the momentum and sometimes people do that, but it is what it is. Still, no beef. But like you guys saw, I’m not going to back down because you’re not going to insult me, especially after I carried myself a certain type of way with nothing but respect,” she said.

She added, “If I show you respect, I expect the same in return. That’s just how it is.”

Townsend additionally reminded reporters that she had already crushed Ostapenko exterior the United States.

“I beat her in Canada, outside the U.S. I beat her in New York, inside the U.S., so let’s see what else she has to say.”

On Instagram, Townsend posted, “Brought the fire, some people can’t take the heat,” adopted by “Onto the next! Love yall.”

Ostapenko later responded on her personal Instagram, accusing Townsend of disrespect and pointing to tennis etiquette as the foundation of her frustration.

Townsend stated she discovered your entire state of affairs “humorous” and dismissed the concept that she owed anybody an apology. She additionally rejected any suggestion that Ostapenko’s feedback had racial undertones.

The heated second has drawn consideration past the tennis world, with the viral clip circulating broadly on-line. Townsend will play her third-round match later this week.

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