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This year so far has been a quiet one for Taylor Townsend. She had a win over the Italian lady icon Roberta Vinci who is ranked no. 42 at the Miami Open. It was a straight set win and must have been a confidence-builder knowing that she can play and win over opponents ranked higher than herself.
Earlier this year at the Mexican Open, Townsend played and won the opening round defeating Jennifer Brady, in straight sets and who is ranked number 90. American Christine McHale ranked no. 61, was her second round opponent but lost to her in straight sets.
Townsend didn't participate in the Australian Open but at Roland Garros she won her first round with Japan's Miyu Kato in straight sets but was defeated in the second round by Su-Wei Hsieh. But in order to get to the Western and Southern Open her qualifying round was competitive and she defeated Irina-Camelia Begu and Carina Witthoeft to win the rounds for entry into the main draw.
As a result so far in Cincinnati has a bright light shining for Townsend because of her first round win over Monica Puig who's ranked no. 69. She defeated her after an intense three set battle and hopefully she will be more confident in the following rounds.
But this victory is due her now and more because she's had a important start when at the age of 15 she defeated Russia's Yulia Putintseva and won the 2012 Australian Open junior title with at year's end she was ranked the no.
1 ranked junior in the world. The following year she entered in the 2013 Citi Open and made great strides in playing the main draw in doubles for the first time. She also paired with Canadian Eugenie Bouchard to reach the finals with opponents Shuko Aoyama and Vera Dushevina.
She's won 12 doubles titles in Futures and Challenger tournaments and a career of 3 singles titles on the ITF circuit. She's been coached by Olympic Gold medalist, Wimbledon finalist and former captain/coach of the USA Fed Cup - Zina Garrison.
She's also have been coached by the present Sloane Stephens coach, Kamau Murray. With Townsend's competitive spirit and determination her goals are never limited on what she can accomplish and just the thought of continually having wins over higher ranked players can make a difference in Townsend's performance in tournaments to come.