U.S. Open 2014: It’s Taylor Townsend vs Serena Williams tonight

Serena Williams (l) celebrates during the victory over Ana Ivanovic 6-4,6-1 at the finals of the Western & Southern Open on August 17, 2014. PHOTO/Andy Lyons/Getty Images; Taylor Townsend (r) in actions against Alize Cornet at the 2014 French Open. PHOTO/Susan Mullane/USA TODAY Sports

Taylor Townsend will face WTA no.1 Serena Williams in her first U.S. Open.

The 18-year-old faces the two-time defending champ under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday night. It will be just her third Grand Slam tournament. In her first, she made the third round at this year’s French Open.

Knocking on the door of the top 100 in the rankings, Townsend got into the U.S. Open on a wild card. Williams said she’s jealous that the former top-ranked junior is a lefty. Turns out that the No. 1 player in the world has always dreamed of having the sort of spin that left-handers get on their groundstrokes.

Taylor Townsend is part of a wave of up-and-coming U.S. women showing promise that they could someday emulate the Williams sisters’ success.

Source: Associated Press