'Rollercoaster of emotions': Priscilla shines bright in day of upsets at the US Open

(Getty/Maddie Meyer)

Australia's Priscilla Hon was one of many giant slayers on a hectic Day 4 at the US Open.

Hon, who qualified for the final Grand Slam of 2025, notched her second top 20 win of her career by downing 17th seed Liudmila Samsonova 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The 27-year-old Queenslander even had chances to pull away with the opening set, but surrendered five opportunities to gain an early 4-1 lead and also saw a 0-40 lead slip by to go 4-0 up prior to that.

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Speaking to the media after reaching the third round of a major for the first time, Hon described it as a "rollercoaster of emotions".

"I feel like I've kind of tried to keep a lid on it; even qualifying and winning my first round... Whenever I let myself feel it too much, I almost don't perform next round," she said.

"I'm glad I get to enjoy it for a day... There were a couple of tears when I was hugging everyone, so I feel like the other matches I didn't, and that's the thing, because I don't want to just be [qualifying], I want to be winning matches."

Over the past week in New York, Hon's accurate serving has become fundamental in taking her game to the next level, having fired 18 aces past Samsonova.

"The serving this week has definitely been a big key, and being able to actually serve well in the big points has been massive," said Hon, who has risen to world No.105 in the live rankings.

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The draw has suddenly opened up for her, thanks to 16th seed Belinda Bencic's elimination at the hands of American Ann Li, who will play Hon for a golden chance to feature in the round of 16.

The other Australian in action, Jordan Thompson, smashed his racquet towards the end of the third set against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, in what was a frustrating day at the office for the Sydneysider as he bowed out 4-6, 7-6(5), 3-6, 3-6.

In other shock results across the grounds, Holger Rune (No.11), Casper Ruud (No.12), Jakub Menšík (No.16) and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (No.18) were the main seeds to tumble on the men's side.

Meanwhile, 25th seed and former French Open winner Jeļena Ostapenko lost in straight sets to doubles No.1 Taylor Townsend, but the contest was overshadowed by potential "racial overtones".

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