Eight times, Barbora Krejcikova stared down a match point against Taylor Townsend. Eight times, the Czech survived, ultimately completing her comeback for a 1-6, 7-6(13), 6-3 victory that already has a place in US Open lore.
On Sunday in Louis Armstrong Stadium, the two-time Grand Slam titlist showed her championship pedigree by fighting off home favorite Townsend and the boisterous New York crowd to advance to the quarterfinals.
Across more than three hours of action, the edge-of-your-seat drama peaked in the second set, with players around the grounds stopping their warmups to watch it all unfold. Krejcikova, who trailed by an early break in that middle frame, saved her first match point at 4-5, 30-40, then subsequently saved another seven in the tiebreak.
In the end, like the "Toy Story" toys that were never played with, Townsend was left to wonder about the match points that were never won. After being on the brink of her first major singles quarterfinal, the American left the court in tears.
An analysis of the eight match points could provide some solace once the initial pain wears off. Krejcikova hit five winners and forced two errors while down to her last strike, with Townsend making her lone unforced error of the entire tiebreak on the other chance.
Match point No. 1: Krejcikova serving at 4-5, 30-40
A 101-mph first serve pulling Townsend out wide leaves Krejcikova space to hit an inside-in forehand winner.
Match point No. 2: Krejcikova serving at 3-6 in the tiebreak
Townsend chips another big first serve back and Krejcikova pounces with an inside-out forehand winner.
Match point No. 3: Krejcikova serving at 4-6
A wide serve allows Krejcikova to go down the line with a forehand approach shot. Townsend’s passing shot lands in the net for a forced error.
Match point No. 4: Townsend serving at 6-5
Krejcikova’s deep backhand return down the middle puts her in control of the point, and two shots later Townsend pulls an attempted down-the-line backhand wide, this one an unforced error.
Match point No. 5: Krejcikova serving at 6-7
A seven-shot rally ends in what the crowd thinks is a victory for Townsend—but the American fans are stunned after seeing Krejcikova’s backhand hit the outside of the line for a winner.
Match point No. 6: Krejcikova serving at 10-11
At the end of an 11-shot rally, Krejcikova hits a down-the-line backhand approach shot. Townsend stretches for a floating backhand slice that looks like trouble, but Krejcikova comes up with a tough, high backhand volley to go behind Townsend for the winner.
Match point No. 7: Townsend serving at 12-11
Krejcikova takes Townsend’s second serve for an inside-out forehand winner.
Match point No. 8: Krejcikova serving at 12-13
Off Krejcikova’s first serve, Townsend’s chipped forehand return floats long.
Discussing her match-point saves in press, Krejcikova was pleased with her aggressive approach but also acknowledged the luck required to survive for so long with her back against the wall.
"Definitely at all those match points, I was just very... brave as well, but also lucky at certain points," she said, "because we had great rallies, and I was facing them when I was serving, then when I was returning."
The drama continued in the third set as the players traded breaks of serve before Krejcikova moved ahead for good with just her her fourth break of the match. Krejcikova would close out the match on her serve, but not before Townsend saved one match point of her own.
Next up for the Czech star in the quarterfinals is another American fan favorite, none other than 2024 US Open finalist Jessica Pegula.
