"Why can't we have a normal match?" - Taylor Townsend and Leylah Fernandez on pulling off a last-ditch win in Miami Open doubles quarterfinal
Taylor Townsend and Leylah Fernandez managed to come through a thrilling doubles quarterfinal in the Miami Open on Tuesday, beating third seeds Jelena Ostapenko and Lyudmyla Kichenok 2-6, 7-6(4), 10-8.
Townsend and Fernandez won their first two matches in straight sets. However, they had to play a tie-break on both occasions.
On Tuesday, the duo had to fight back from a set down before winning a tight super tie-break.
Reflecting on having to endure nervy tie-breaks, Townsend said she had to check her pulse after the encounter. She also jokingly asked why the duo couldn't have a "normal" match.
"I was like, 'Why can't we have a normal match?' Every match that we've played has been like tie-breaker, set tie-breaker. So I had to check my pulse after we were done. I was like, I just need a breath for one second," she said in the post-match interview.
Townsend and Fernandez's newly formed partnership has looked promising so far. Elaborating on their performances this week, Townsend stated that their game has progressed with each match.
"I think it's gotten better every match and as you progress through the tournament, the opponent gets tougher and the pressure increases. So for us, to come out in a match like this and to be able to come and turn around playing our best and our opponents were going amazing at the start of the match. We were able to turn it around and keep each other up," she said.
However, the 26-year-old acknowledged that the pair are still looking to find their rhythm with each other.
"We have a lot of fun and this is only our fourth match. We're still finding kind of rhythm and how we play with each other," she added.
"It's such a great opportunity" - Leylah Fernandez on sharing the court with Taylor Townsend
Leylah Fernandez lavished praise on Taylor Townsend, saying it was a "great opportunity" to learn more about doubles and how to play with a left-hander.
"I think it's such a great opportunity for me to learn more about doubles and also like learn like how to be playing with a lefty. So, it was so nice to be sharing the court with Taylor. I'm learning a lot and I'm also having a lot of fun," the Canadian said in the post-match interview.
The duo will continue their campaign in Miami on Thursday (March 30) when they face Magda Linette and Bernarda Pera in the semifinals.