The American former junior world number two who has joined Coco Gauff on an exclusive Cincinnati Open list

The Cincinnati Open has long been a proving ground for the best in tennis, and this year, another American talent has joined Coco Gauff on a very exclusive list of players who have made a breakthrough at the event.

Taylor Townsend, once ranked junior world number two, has etched her name alongside Gauff’s by delivering an inspired run in Cincinnati, reaching the later stages of the tournament for the first time in her career. Townsend’s achievement mirrors the kind of success Gauff experienced when she made her own breakthrough here, a moment that helped shape her path to Grand Slam glory.

Townsend’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Once hailed as one of the brightest prospects in American tennis, she faced injury setbacks, questions about fitness, and time away from the sport due to motherhood. But in 2024, she has returned with renewed determination, showcasing the aggressive net play and doubles skills that have always set her apart.

By reaching the Cincinnati Open’s last 16, Townsend becomes part of a small group of American women — including Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Venus and Serena Williams — who have made deep runs at this tournament in recent years. The performance not only boosts her singles ranking but also signals she is ready to compete consistently at the highest level once again.

For Gauff, who won Cincinnati last year, seeing another American thrive here only adds to her belief that U.S. women’s tennis is in a golden era. “It’s great to see more of us doing well at the big events,” Gauff said earlier this week. “We push each other to be better.”

Townsend’s next challenge will be her biggest yet — a meeting with world number one Iga Świątek in the round of 16. It’s a match that will test every aspect of her game, but it also offers the chance for an upset that would mark one of the biggest wins of her career.

If she can rise to the occasion, Townsend won’t just be sharing a list with Coco Gauff — she’ll be making a strong case to join the conversation as one of the most dangerous unseeded players on the tour.