Townsend, Ostapenko involved in heated exchange at US Open

NEW YORK :American Taylor Townsend prevailed 7-5 6-1 in a tough U.S. Open clash against Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko on Wednesday but the real tension came shortly after match point when the pair were involved in a heated argument at the net.

Townsend was trailing 3-5 in the opening set on Court 11 before she won nine straight games against the 2017 French Open champion to gain the upper hand in the second-round clash and soon secured the victory on serve to let out a huge roar.

During a cold handshake at the net at the end of the match, Ostapenko spoke sharply to Townsend, starting the argument.

Townsend at one point said "I don't have to do anything" to Ostapenko, who repeatedly pointed at her opponent.

Townsend eventually walked away and shook the chair umpire's hand and proceeded to whip the crowd into a frenzy.

"It's competition. People get upset when they lose and some people say bad things," Townsend said in an on-court interview.

"She told me I had no class, I have no education and to see what happens when we get outside the U.S.

"I'm looking forward to it. I mean, I beat her in Canada outside the U.S. so let's see what else she has to say."

Ostapenko added on Instagram later that her anger stemmed from Townsend's refusal to apologise after winning a point at a pivotal moment when her ball clipped the net and stayed in play, as she accused the American of being "disrespectful".

"There are some rules in tennis which most of the players follow and it was the first time ever that this happened to me on tour," Ostapenko wrote.

"If she plays in her homeland, it doesn't mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants."

Ostapenko also went on to complain that Townsend warmed up at the net and not the baseline at the