INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, Fla. -- Taylor Townsend has earned a wild card into the main draw of the French Open after winning a U.S. Tennis Association qualifying tournament.
The former world No. 1 junior will be playing in the main draw of a Grand Slam event for the first time. She is ranked 256th in the world.
The 18-year-old Townsend, from Houston, earned the spot by beating Anett Kontaveit 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to reach the final, then topped Yulia Putintseva 6-1, 6-1 on Sunday in the championship match.
The USTA provides wild cards for one man and one woman each year. Robby Ginepri won the men's spot Saturday.