US Open: Simona Halep eliminated in the second round by American qualifier Taylor Townsend

New York (AFP)

Simona Halep, 4th in the world, was eliminated Thursday in the second round of the US Open by American Taylor Townsend (116th and qualifying round) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).

After her victory in the first round, the Romanian had said she wanted to "still dream big" at Flushing Meadows after her title at Wimbledon in July.

Halep was eliminated prematurely for the 3rd consecutive year at the US Open where she had not passed the first round in 2017 or 2018.

Townsend, meanwhile, equaled her 23-year Grand Slam career: she had reached this stage for her first participation at Roland-Garros in 2014.

To try to do better, she will face another Romanian, less ranked, Sorana Cirstea (106th)

© 2019 AFP