The 2025 US Open has been riddled with unusual events, drama, and intrigue. The plot thickened on Friday night with a marriage proposal, a Taylor Fritz, and a Taylor Townsend win.
Marriage Proposal During Aryna Sabalenka Match
It is not uncommon to see public marriage proposals in the stands at sporting events, but I don’t remember seeing one at a tennis match. However, if you are going to do it, why not in New York at the US Open on Friday night when the World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is playing.
A happy couple just got engaged during Aryna Sabalenka and Leylah Fernandez’ match at the U.S. Open.
🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 30, 2025
Sabalenka defeated Leylah Fernandez in straight sets, and she was asked about the proposal afterword. She was happy for the couple but had to regain her focus in the match. When asked if she was expecting a proposal in the future, she smiled and said that she gave her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, a look in the stands.
Aryna Sabalenka on the marriage proposal during her U.S. Open match
“I was trying just to not start smiling… because it’s very cute. I wish them a happy marriage.” 🥹
“I looked at my boyfriend. No pressure” ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 30, 2025
Taylor Fritz Advances
What a night for Taylor 🤩
Taylor Fritz and Taylor Townsend both secure their singles spot in Round 4. pic.twitter.com/TAob1xepCh
— USTA (@usta) August 30, 2025
Friday was tough for the American men as Ben Shelton retired and Frances Tiafoe lost within hours of each other.
Taylor Fritz, the top ranked American and 2024 US Open finalist, got the job done in four sets setting up a potential quarterfinal match with Novak Djokovic who in typical Djokovic manner shrugged off an early injury and played great tennis.
Fritz has never beaten Djokovic in 10 tries; however, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The first piece of business is getting through the Round of 16 against Tomas Machac who has quietly played a great tournament without dropping a set through three rounds including a big win against Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca.
Taylor Townsend Wins
USA’s other Taylor, Taylor Townsend, shocked Mirra Andreeva on Friday night. Townsend back up the win over Jelena Ostapenko which was mired with postmatch controversy initiated by Ostapenko.
AMERICAN TAYLOR TOWNSEND UPSETS NO. 5 MIRRA ANDREEVA AT THE US OPEN 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/FOdUiM6pb9
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 30, 2025
Townsend‘s biggest success in recent years has been on the doubles court as a two-time Grand Slam champion with Katerina Siniakova.
Ironically, Townsend plays Siniakova’s former doubles partner, Barbora Krejcikova, in the next round. Krejcikova found a way to defeat Emma Navarro in the third round despite being behind most of the match.
