”I don’t know how the hell I did it”- Taylor Townsend recounts 'crazy day' after beating Jelena Ostapenko to reach Canadian Open QF & career-high rank

Taylor Townsend was in disbelief as she narrated a 'crazy' story to her fans after defeating Jelena Ostapenko in the third round of the 2024 National Bank Open. The American has also guaranteed herself a new career-high ranking after the end of the WTA 1000.

Townsend, who played the qualifiers of the National Bank Open, made it to the main draw as a lucky loser after comfortably ousting Emina Bektas but losing to Erika Andreeva.

She kicked off her campaign against 16th seed Dayana Yastremska, who withdrew in the second set giving the 28-year-old the win. She followed it up by decimating home favorite Marina Satakusic.

In the third round, the American had to face fourth seed Jelena Osatpenko, who has been in fine form lately. Townsend staged an incredible upset to knock out the Latvian 6-2, 6-1 in just an hour to reach the quarterfinals.

During the on-court interview, Taylor Townsend recounted her 'crazy day' to the fans. She told them how she reached the destination just six minutes before the match and didn't even warm up properly before coming out to play. The American mentioned how she only did two bike sprints before coming out but was happy that it eventually worked in her favor.

“This was a crazy day you guys. Let me tell you a story. We were playing not before 12.30 I got here at 12.24. I don’t know how the hell I did it. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t thinking. I just came out and played. I didn’t hit a ball. I didn’t warm up. I literally did 2 bike sprints and I was like alright let’s go. So I guess that worked”

Townsend was then told how she went from a lucky loser to attaining the highest rank of her career to which she did a shimmy and joked how one has to be lucky once in a while. She is currently guaranteed to become the World No. 52 after the tournament.

“I guess you just gotta get lucky every once in a while right?”

Taylor Townsend will face Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals of the 2024 National Bank Open

Taylor Townsend (Image source: GETTY)

Taylor Townsend is set to face eighth seed Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals of the 2024 National Bank Open.

After receiving a bye in the opening round due to her seed, Navarro kicked off her campaign with a straight-set win against Magda Linette following which she ousted 11th seed Marta Kostyuk 7-5, 7-5 to reach the final 8.

This will be the second meeting between the two Americans with the first one coming at the WTA 100 in Charleston in 2019 where Taylor Townsend claimed a 6-1, 6-4 win.