Townsend/Shelton vs. Anisimova/Rune Full Match | 2025 US Open Round 1

Watch the full match of Townsend/Shelton vs. Anisimova/Rune in Round 1 of the 2025 US Open.

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The 2025 US Open runs from August 18 – September 7 in New York City at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The tournament takes place for the 145th time and is the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year. Last year, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka claimed the men’s and women’s singles titles. It was both Sinner and Sabalenka’s first US Open title and third Grand Slam title. This year, at the US Open, we’re set for another spectacular tournament as the world’s best tennis players head to New York. Look out for highlights, extended highlights, full matches, press conferences, on-court interviews, hot shots, compilations and more!

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Four teams will be playing them in the semifinals tomorrow. So if you make the semis, you’re back tomorrow night inside Arthur Stadium where the semis and the final will be played. The champions will be crowned tomorrow evening and will be awarded a winner’s check of $1 million. That’s a nice start. I mean, pretty good return right out of the gate, but very comfortable at the net moving. And you would be comfortable with Ben Shelton serving, wouldn’t you? You and you can immediately get a sense of the respect, the the love these two have for one another as as tennis players. They’re going to enjoy themselves out there. They’re going to get an awful lot of support as well. It was interesting when they walked out, they almost sort of stopped for a second and looked up at the crowd. Maybe they they weren’t quite expecting the size of the crowd inside Armstrong for this match. Lent. Yeah, the crowds have come out for this mixed doubles the week before the US Open main draw starts and singles. As you can see, wallto-wall spectators 41 Shelton will be dropping too many points behind his serve. I can’t imagine he will lose serve in the entire tournament. It’s not just his serve. His partner is very solid up at the net. It’s not coming back. That’s how he plays his tennis. Venelton, if you haven’t seen too much of this guy, maybe you’re new to the sport. He’s fun to watch. He’s really picking on Anna Samoa with the wide lefty serve, getting her into the seats and then rewarding the spectators with a ball as well. You got to take cover when Bell bends around. So, first game play. Let’s remind you of the format as well because it is different. first of four games and it’s best of three sets. If they split sets then we’ll play a champions tie break. That’s the format where you have to reach 10 points. No add scoring. So if we get to juice it’s a single point to decide the game. got electronic line calling. We’ve got the video review system in place as well. Should we get any uh contentious decisions, players can ask to check those on the uh the video screens. Another sign of singles players, by the way, is Anna Samova, right before this game started, went over to Runa to say, “Do should we do signals? and he made the mention of we don’t even know what you’re talking about. So, let’s just talk about it where you’re going to serve. So, there’s been no signals yet. They just run back there and have a quick discussion on where to serve. And you can see that Anna Samova isn’t taking up a lot of space. She’s not anywhere near the center of the court. That’s the first thing that jumps out, isn’t it? her her core position up at the net. Yes, she’s very far back. I’m just shuffling over to the doubles alley as well. Yeah, Taylor Towns in world number one these days by the way. Took over the the top spot in the WTA doubles ranking this summer after she won in Washington. Now, a golden set in tennis is when you don’t win one point. That has just been saved with that missed volley from Townsen. Yeah, just missed the volley. Producing some good stuff already. 154. Pretty good work at the net that time from Andison Samova. She stayed in there three or four volleys, but when you saw Shelton lining up the forehand, you weren’t feeling good about her chances. First break points. There we go. Immediate break for Towns End and Shelton lead by two games to love first set and in this format that’s probably the set done. You don’t have too much time to respond do you? Well the one game is right now talented they are not going to break Shelton. So holds here. Yes. First set most likely over 15. Good work from Runa crushing a return. That volley got back to him in a hurry and he half volied it nicely. Oh, a bit of pressure. Let’s see some fair bit of experience playing mixed doubles at major level. In fact, these two played together. They’re probably the only team with a with a bit of history in that respect. 2023 made the semis here at US Open. Shelton and Towns out well outside of Milan and Basor in the race know each other well lot of respect immediately wanted to partner one another. So, the story goes once the uh the new format to the mix this year at the US Open was revealed earlier this season. in Chelton’s words and Iranian Basori might disagree but he describes Taylor as the best mixed doubles player in the world hands down. I guess we’ll find out over the next couple of days. We will so far things are going just fine. Yeah. And I mean to be honest we do expect this team to make the semifinals. And this did well there. Pretty solid up at the nets. It’s interesting. And it’s moment doesn’t she shows you she’s not confident by her court position. Standing back, staying back and almost invites you to hit at her over and over again. She’s actually made the volley. However, most of the time chances for the fourth seats now. That’s good hitting off the ground as well from the American. Four seeds respond immediately. Break a piece. Some pretty lively starts to this first round match. It’s fast and furious this format, particularly with the the noad scoring. pretty quick games and we’ll get a sense right away with Ana Samova Roa is going to have to make his presence felt a little bit at the net. Anisova can come up with some pretty nice serves. So if she’s getting her serve in in the corners and Runa is active, there’s no reason why this can’t be a hold of serve. Scoreboard’s getting a little tighter. So one-two first set. Another first to four games in this format. Tie break at four a piece. Could we get that far? [Applause] Well, if you meant to hit the volley short, it was a very good volley. I’m not sure whether this was very good by accident, whether it was a clean connection, but it was effective. Was that out of the middle? I’m not sure. It was a perfect spot in the end. And again, Roa in the right place. They’ve actually responded pretty well, haven’t they, after the first couple of games. I mean first couple of games you were thinking this is going to be almost on the level of being embarrassing because again run and ma just haven’t played doubles but they have responded well a little bit of help from towns and Sheldon early in that towns and service game. Oh, 135. Good. Excellent serve from That’s what I was saying. Her first serve does have some pop and if she’s hitting her spot and Runa is active, she’s not an easy break. Oh and recovery complete. That’s a good effort. It’s not looking quite so comfortable after all for the all-American team. Bit of work to do now. Two a piece. Reminder to download the US Open app, follow your favorite players, track scores and stats, match highlights on there as well. Get all the player news, live 3D views of all singles matches. That’s available on the app store. What a point. Great hands to stay in the rally for so long really. Well, especially Townsen. She was in trouble here, but sticking her racket out, making a few gets, making a few reflexes. Then it was Shelton. That ball just got in an uncomfortable spot for him. He’s going to feel a little pressure on this second serve. Doesn’t want to fall behind love 30. Annisova does a great backhand. But that serve is so spinny and moves so much more than any serve Anna Samova has ever seen. And you can see by that return left for service. There’s the hand signals Jimmy Timmy was referring to earlier in the match. That’s the the more regular way, the more normal way the doubles players communicate before each point is played. Almost towns moving too soon. She obviously called that she’s going to move and the ball ended up getting in an uncomfortable spot. So high formation. Shelton is throwing in slow cheesy serves to Anna Sumova, but they have so much spin on them that she hasn’t yet gotten a hold of any of them. But a bit dangerous at 1530 to only hit a 95 mph serve. He better come up with a big serve here. 120. More heat on that one. So many options, isn’t he, Ben? He steps up to the line. He’s got every serve. Slice nasty kicker and 150 mph if he wants to just bang it flat. combining nicely and back to business. Having seen the two-0 lead disappear, they are in front once more. 3-2 first. [Applause] Go back to his serve. It’s difficult, isn’t it, when you’re watching on TV to get a sense of well, one, how hard he can hit the ball. while I was courtside in Toronto watching him hit serves. It It’s takes your breath away. But the serves that you’ve been talking about actually how much the ball is moving in the air and off the court. It’s very difficult to appreciate when you’re watching on TV. It’s insane when you see it. How you think how does anyone return it? But you know, more power to the guys because they do they make them play. And you can see even in that last game, two of the points were one were won by Runa. And you got the sense if he loses the anisamova rally that they just had. All of a sudden it’s a deuce point next point win. Run is certainly going to take the return. And that could have been where I said Shelton won’t lose his serve in the tournament. I might have been proven wrong right out of the gate. time. Fabulous crowd inside Louis Armstrong Stadium on day two. A fan week. We’ve got qualifying taking place around the grounds. Open practice sessions. All sorts of entertainment put on for the kids around the grounds. It’s free entry all week, by the way, including on this court today. Oh, unbelievable reaction. Yeah, again, Anna Samova handling that ball pretty well, even though you can tell she’d rather be anywhere but at the net. And if I’m if I’m Runa, I think I would bring Anna Samova back to the baseline. That’s a tough volley when you’re that far away from the net. She has a brilliant two-handed backhand. And if I’m Runa, I come to net, leave her back, and I’m trying to do some damage up at the net because right now it’s hard for him to hold serve. Yeah. Yeah. TSM with the hand skills. Yes. There’s such a difference in the comfortability at the net for Townsen as opposed to Ana Samova. And again, if I’m the coach of Anna Samova, I’m bringing Anna Samova back at the baseline where she wants to be anyway. So these are set points for Townzend and Chelton. First one saved potentially three more to face with a deciding point even if an over get back to juice. It will be a deciding point and Shelton in good shape here. Set point number two. Ro does have to try to get a little more aggressive with his first serve as well. So that and that is the first set wrapped up. Saw their two0 lead disappear but straight back to business with a Shelton hold and a break. And that’s the first set done. 4-2. Which is the wind going? Is it going that way? Like it’s like this. Looks like they’re trying to figure out the weather conditions as well as everything else, but they’re doing okay. Yeah, I guess to see who serves first, even though it should be obviously Shelton as you see they Shelton got 81% of their first serves in. That’s a great way to go about doubles. You don’t need to hit bombs as often. You want to hit spots and have your netman do some work. returns in play versus a second serve. This moment really didn’t get any back, but I suppose they only saw one or two. Not too much of a breeze today. There’s a bit of wind outside if you’re on one of the maybe the outside courts, the field courts as they’re known here. Then you might be feeling the breeze, but this is pretty well protected. big big stadium, the second biggest stadium here at Flushing Meadows with a big big crowd enjoying themselves, enjoying day one of this mixed doubles championship. I think this is great for the singles players. Just you get a sense of what the tournament feels like a week early, the balls, the courts, and the crowds. You get all of that feel. I know it’s a different game slightly because it’s doubles, but you’re going to feel a little tension. And at the end of the day, there’s a million dollars on the line for the winning team. So, there is some pressure. A huge prize prize money on offer in New York this year. $90 million in total compensation, which is a jump of 20% on last year. 75 million last year spread across all the events. million dollars for the winners of the set the women’s and men’s doubles incidentally as well but a million check for a million handed out tomorrow evening inside Alish Stadium 51 the thing if I was runa I would tell Anna Samova he’s not going to serve 140 mph to you keeps giving you the spinner here. Oh, soon as I say that, he juiced it up a little. 130. Never mind. Feeling so confident. Ben, on the back of his first Mast’s 1000 title on the ATP tour. That’s a big big deal. Gone deep at the majors. He hadn’t gone particularly deep at mast’s level but put that right in Toronto. His first 1,00 trophy had a very good period actually hasn’t he last few weeks. Good run at Wimby 13 Toronto. Deep fairly deep run in Cincy as well. Quarterfinals in Cincy. And I could make the argument that it’s almost good for him that he played a horrible match in the quarterfinals of Cincinnati just to get that type of match out of his system and take a little pressure. Yes, he’s made it. That’s some forehand. Another service game for Shelton where there’s a tiny bit of pressure at 30 all. Yeah, a little less expectation maybe for Shelton. Had he come in winning Cincy and semi final of sorry, winning Toronto semi-final of Cincy, that would be maybe too much pressure. Oh, look at this. Your prediction’s on the line here. It is really on the line. I think he’ll save this one, but I’m not 100% sure he’ll save it if we get to a deuce point. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t hit a serve that’s a little rough. And there is a break of serve. didn’t go for the big serve. 93 mph I think that first serve and it didn’t have as much movement. That was a exhibition serve almost and he paid the price. Anna Samova’s got a beautiful backhand. You don’t just serve it up there that easily and that would be an interesting matchup to me. Anna Samova’s backhand into Ben’s forehand in the half court where there’s no movement. It’s not a short thing for Ben and can make a few errors. So makes things interesting early in this second set. Remember a deciding breaker if they split sets Champions tie break in place of a third set. It’s not the case in the final incident. No, excuse me. It is the case in the final, but we’re playing regular sets in the final tomorrow evening. Interesting that serving first is Anna Samova and Runa. He was broken both times in set one. And Samova did hold. So they’re going with the stronger server first. Discussion at the second point. Hey, if they know guessing she probably won’t mind too much those baseline exchanges with Taylor Towns end given her quality off the ground and her singles pedigree. And she’s at her most comfortable at the back of the court. Yeah. It’s a good move from Muna. quite connect with the first volley, but he was in the right place. 30 15. It’s interesting how it’s not the serve, but it’s the net player that really causes the most problems in doubles. And if you have a net player, Anna Samoma doesn’t make her presence felt when Run is serving at all. So this is the stronger serving part of this team because Bruno is at least being a pest up at the net. He’s making himself felt, shrinking the court for the returner a little bit and Anisimova backs him up with good ground strokes. That was some defense. Perhaps a touch fortunate, but it dropped in, but credit for getting some strings on the ball. [Applause] [Music] So the Americans back in this game deciding point now. Sorry if if they’re thinking properly, Anna Simone and Runa Anna Simone’s backhand is much better than her forehand. So Runa should cover the right side of the court and leave the backhand to Anna Samova in the back instead of letting Shelton return this crosscourt and give her a forehand. Oh, but it’s Townsen taking the deciding point. [Music] It’s a good move. That’s breakpoint converted and they’ve hit back immediately. That will be a a painful service game to lose that one. In good shape building a two0 lead for them. Come on. that voice of Ben’s father, Brian, courtside, offering a few words of wisdom. Oh, no way. No way. Does he make that? You heard his father Brian say make the court small for them up at the net. So he got active at the net and he almost got his head taken off but somehow his racket got in front of his face and then make a punt. I’ve just watched that unfold. I can hardly believe my eyes that he’s made that volley. That was incredible. Happened so quickly. Things heating up inside Armstrong second service. That was a sweet little stuck back hand again from Samova. the recent Wimbledon finalist. [Applause] It’s all happening. Goodness me. Taylor Townsen with the reflex volley this time. Shelton giving it everything. They are enjoying themselves out there. How did she fight that one off? Off off the top of the tape. These two have some tremendous reflexes. Shelton giving it his all. [Applause] Oh, he’s done it again. This is ridiculous. What a game this is developing into. Gives you an idea. If you get right on top of the net, you just have to put your racket on it if you can. He’s done a good job a couple of times, Shelton, in this game making sure his racket is in front of him because otherwise he would have gotten tagged twice. [Applause] It’s been some service game to open up a 2-1 lead in this second set. Couple of really good serves to wrap up the game. That was uh the game of the match so far, that’s for sure. And the All-American team ahead 2-1 early in the second. [Applause] Stuck catching my breath after that third game. We had a couple of world class volleys from Ben Shelton, couple of reflex volleys from Taylor Townsen, a couple of big serves to finish off. [Applause] Game of quality. Let’s put them in charge in this second. So, they’re not too far away now. Remember, first of four is the format. Could be closing in on a place in the quarterfinals. Another first round match to come after this one. Daniel Collins, Christian Harrison up against Belinda Benic, Alexander Serv as the next first round match on this court. A time [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] pretty relaxed out there, enjoying themselves in front of a big crowd, rising to the occasion. Let’s see how Rooney gets on now. He’s yet to hold serve in this match. Nice start for him. Again, his serve can’t be 107 miles an hour. He’s got to do something a little bit more or his partner’s lack of being comfortable at the net will get exposed. 13 15. It’s almost the opposite. Take a look at most of the time you’re trying to make the court look small for the returners. Anna Samova is trying to make herself look small. She’s getting into the doubles alley when she can. Started to come to life. [Music] be closing in on another break of serve here. Just wide. Almost made it. 143. Muna survives for now. Can Dane get a hold of serend spells here? He can indeed. So keeps this second set nice and tight. The fourth seed still very much in this contest. Reminder to uh head to usopen.org. That’s your online home for point-by-oint live scoring highlights, realtime stats, all the draws on there as well. The singles draws made on Thursday this week. It’s the official tournament website, usopen.org. [Music] [Applause] This crowd has really warmed to Towns End and Shelton enjoying themselves. Brand of tennis these two produce. [Applause] Shelton trying to make sure he doesn’t get broken twice in one set of up 30 love even though he’s still not throwing in. There’s a nice kicker. [Applause] There was a little room around the net post there for Anna Samova, but didn’t quite want to take that risk. Kicker to the forehand, but handled it pretty well. fortunate volley there from Townsen and the only chance really was around the net post. Good initial dick. Impossible to dig up the second one though. Moving backwards of course this 10,00 finalist this year holder in Indian Wells. That was a good run. Big Alcarez in the Barcelona final on play in the spring. Uh-oh. 14. I think Towns and said, “All right, Ben, give me a serve here. Let’s get out of this game. There we go. 120 on the speed gun [Music] to get the hold and take them to within a game of the quarterfinals. 3-2 second set. If I’m not mistaken, Ana Samova is coming up to serve and she hasn’t been broken yet in this match. She’s the only player that hasn’t been. No, no, no. Yeah, you’re a kneel. [Applause] Time So Amanda Anisamova has to hold serve. Simple as that. Please at this stage 2-3 in a second. Trading by a set. Shelton and Towns end please. We’ll look to pounce here and wrap this up. just a fraction wide. Gap was there. But again, the movement from Runa caught the eye of Shelton and that’s what helped make him miss that return. For a player who hasn’t played that much in doubles, he has some instincts. Runa up at the net. He’s trying to make something happen, isn’t he? Impressed with that. Unranked in the doubles list, which tells you everything you need to know about how often he plays doubles. He’s one of the guys who we don’t see on the doubles court that often. Shelton plays uh on and off. 14. Yes, I believe that’s more aces Anna Samova to Shelton than Shelton to Anna Samova. She’s got a one love lead in that matchup. I think it’s a good return. Kids are moving into position with the giant tennis balls. the autograph hunters. Might be still a little bit of time here if Samova holds. There’s a few more games to be played. [Applause] 14. Got to be careful here. just about in control of this service game. But uh at the same time, Townsend and Chelton just two points from victory. Now these next two points if there are two they’re both going to be Anna Samova serving to Townzen if it goes to a deciding point just a fraction beyond the baseline. So survives and on we go in set number two. Of [Music] course, they’ll be telling themselves that these matches can turn around very quickly with this format. We see that a lot on the doubles court. If you you can just nick the second set and take some momentum into the deciding tie break can often make the difference in in this format. You play a tie break to decide the match. [Applause] You can hear Ben Shelton’s father, Brian, starting to coach. Good spot there. He wants body forehand serves to Anna Samova. Not sure where to go here. [Applause] Just missed. Almost pulled off another miraculous volley. Runa smiling to say finally I got him. Been trying all day. Yeah, same spot up the T Americans forehand. Brian Shelton liking what he’s seeing in terms of the serve placement. Good service game again. Put the pressure on the number four seeds who will have to come out and serve to stay in the match once more. by one set 4-3. Again, just to reiterate, this is all new tie break at four games a piece. So, if they do hold here, then we’re into a regular tie break at the end of each set. If we need a deciding tiebreak to settle the match, that is a a champions tie break as they’re known, which is first to 10 points. And in the final tomorrow evening inside Arthur Stadium then they are regular sets. We drop the first four game format. Play two regular sets and then a deciding tie break to to settle it if it if it goes the distance. Crunch time in this second set. Pretty finely balanced. Nice exchange between Hular and Ben. Maybe apologizing for trying to take him out. Yeah. In the in the previous game. This is where we are. Arthur Stadium. Excuse me. Arthur Stadium on the left. This is Louis Armstrong Stadium in the distance. Big big crowds on site today. Lot of people out watching the qualifying matches. First round matches around the grounds today and uh a lot of practice sessions underway featuring feature many of the stars of the sport around the grounds here at the National Tennis Center. Yeah, Townsen not intimidated at all by any pace of shot when she’s at the net. Handled that first shot very well. [Applause] But that’s the kind of serving Runa is going to have to throw at Towns and even Shelton. He’s going to try to get a free point with this serve. Oh, just missed. She might for a moment. That looked like it hurt her wrist almost. Sometimes when you get jammed with a forehand volley off a ball with a lot of pace, it can be a bit dangerous. [Applause] A good serve to keep their team in this game. Well, he’s got to do that against Shelton as well. He gave Shelton a nothing serve on the last point and paid the price. Help your partner at the net by giving her a sitter rather than something that gets stung her way. He goes for a little bigger. Now he’s stuck with a second serve. Fancied it. Get himself into position to hit a big forehand off the return. But no way through that time. So game point for the fourth seeds. game over [Applause] all second tie break. So tiebreak to settle the second set. Four games a piece. They’ve done well to stick around in this match and we’re both a little surprised. I think that this is as close and as tense as it is right now. So yeah, and that’s no disrespect to obviously the the ability of Runa. It’s based on just the the lack of doubles that they play and the the quality of Bel Shelton at the the peak of his powers at the moment. World number six on the back of a Masters 1000 title partnering the world number one in doubles. So always going to be favorites on paper. Towns end. Oh, well done. Good anticipation. Covered the center of the court beautifully. Yeah, this is experience in doubles, isn’t it? Good backhand down low. Nice move from Runa, but he hit the ball where it looked as though it was open and Townsen closed that space in a hurry. 2 1 Thousand Shelton. And despite the missed return, it’s been a good start to the breaker for the wild card pairing. Towns end and Shelton. Remember the winners of this match will be back on court a little later to play the quarterfinal in the same session. serving well towards the end of this match mostly to forehands surprisingly. She’s got the slidy lefty serve out wide but it’s the strength of Anna Samova and they’ve decided to really almost exclusively pick on the forehand. [Music] They formulated the plan. Yeah. See how that works out. I think Shelton staying on the side he’s on. Somehow Shelton’s taking credit for the call. That was his call that produced that high short reply. Townsen should say, “No, that was my serve. Closing in 4-1 produced some really good tennis. Back end of this contest. There’s Taylor Townsen demonstrating exactly why she is at the top of the doubles rankings right now. She’s taken over tiebre volley to start things. first point and couple of really good serves. That was an excellent return to serve. No offense to Ben, but his partner’s taking control of things. Well, he did say, didn’t he? She’s the best mixed doubles player in the world. It’s a little pressure you’re putting on yourself because if you lose, you know whose fault it is. just deep just about still in this breaker the number four seeds but they might not be for too much longer two points away for Townsand and Shelton it’s been a fairly swift breaker so far still under five minutes in duration again. Rock solid from Taylor Towns end combining beautifully now these two and now with the luxury of four match points. I think he should end it with 140 mph bomb. He thought the same thing. He tried it. Yeah. Only 129. The gun is off. And there we go. Victory for Tanzend and Shelton. Finished in style. Taylor Townsen played a superb breaker to wrap up that match and the wild cards take out the fourth seeds into the quarterfinals. They’ll be back on this court a little later this afternoon. That was good fun. Threw in straight.