Governor Quinn Applauds Illinois Tennis Star Taylor Townsend

SPRINGFIELD - Governor Pat Quinn today applauded native Chicagoan Taylor Townsend, the teen tennis phenom who won an upset victory today in the French Open. Townsend, who qualified for the prestigious tournament as a wild-card entry, now faces Spanish 14th seed Carla Suarez Navarro in the third round.

"All of Illinois is proud of Taylor Townsend and we'll be rooting for her in the third round. She fought back from a 1-5 deficit to win the first round, and upset a hometown favorite in the second round. With her aggressive style at the net and blistering volleys, this 18-year old southpaw's grit and determination represent the best of Illinois."

Townsend is a graduate of Lenart Regional Gifted Center and trains at XS Tennis Center, both in Chicago's South Side. She won the 2012 Australian Open Girls Singles title and is now ranked 205th in the world. Playing on the red clay at Rolland Garros in Paris is Townsend's first Grand Slam Women's Singles competition.