'I was brave, but also lucky': Barbora Krejcikova reflects on dramatic comeback to reach quarterfinals

Barbora Krejcikova lived to tell the tale after one of the most dramatic contests of the US Open so far, battling past American favourite Taylor Townsend 1-6, 7-6(15-13), 6-3 in a three-hour thriller to reach the quarterfinals. The Czech star, who saved multiple match points in the heart-stopping second set tiebreak, admitted both courage and a little luck carried her through.

“It was very tough, very intense, very up-and-down,” Krejcikova said moments after sealing victory on Louis Armstrong Stadium. “At the end, I’m very happy it went my way.” The clash had everything: a partisan crowd roaring for the home player, a rollercoaster momentum swing, and one of the most dramatic tiebreaks of the tournament.

When asked about her approach facing match points, Krejcikova revealed that instinct and bravery guided her in those decisive moments. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Definitely at all those match points, I was very brave, but also lucky at certain points. Taylor is a great player—she can do any magic she wants. I was just trying to put the ball on her side and hoping it would save me.”

Despite the overwhelming support for Townsend, Krejcikova insisted she relished the electric atmosphere. “To be honest, it was excellent. I enjoyed the crowd, even though they were cheering for Taylor. I like when there’s a crowd, when the atmosphere gets so intense you can cut it. I’m really happy I had the opportunity to play on Louis Armstrong, against an American, with the crowd wild. That’s something I like.”

Surviving the tiebreak rollercoaster

The second set was a marathon in itself, with Townsend holding match points during a nerve-shredding tiebreak. Krejcikova, however, managed to steady herself point by point, turning the drama into opportunity. “It was very close, very dramatic, like a rollercoaster—like Cincinnati rollercoasters,” she laughed afterwards.

She described her mindset as calm yet focused: “When I’m there on the court, I don’t show much emotion. I have emotions, but I don’t show them. I focus on every ball and try to show more positive than negative emotions. I just go point by point. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, okay—next one.”

Respect for Townsend’s journey

The match came against the backdrop of Townsend’s recent challenges off-court, something Krejcikova admitted she was aware of. “I heard about it, I saw it, and I briefly read about it as well. We’re staying in the same place, and before the tournament we had an event together. I knew about the situation, but once you’re on court, you just focus on tennis and the challenges you face there.”

It was a clash that highlighted both players’ resilience, with the American showcasing her variety and net skills, while the Czech relied on patience and resilience to withstand the storm. Ultimately, Krejcikova’s composure under pressure made the difference.

Next Up: Pegula

Looking ahead, Krejcikova now faces Jessica Pegula, who has cruised through her matches with relative ease. Asked about her upcoming opponent, the Czech remained grounded. “I haven’t seen her play this tournament, so I’ll have to look. We played in Riyadh last time, indoors, so it’s tough to compare. Before that, two years ago. I expect it’s going to be a huge, tough, and intense match. Hopefully with a good ending for me.”

Even if she doesn’t study the draw, Krejcikova knows the challenge awaiting her. “They told me already on the court. I usually don’t want to know who I face, but what can I do? I’ll just try to put it aside, enjoy that I won today, and think about it tomorrow.”

For now, though, the 28-year-old is savouring one of the most memorable wins of her career. “If one point didn’t go my way, I’d be searching for a flight,” she admitted with a smile. Instead, Krejcikova is still standing—battle-tested, resilient, and ready for more.