Chansky's Notebook: Fighting Spirit

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Fiona Crawley may go from wild card to qualifying at the U.S. Open.

Carolina’s senior tennis star, reigning ACC and ITA Player of the Year and All-American leader of Carolina’s NCAA championship has jumped out of the college spotlight and maybe into the main draw of the U.S. Open.

Invited due to her college resume (not her #731 world ranking), Crawley upset Hungarian professional Reka Luca Jani in Tuesday’s first qualifying round, two of the sets in overtime. The almost 3-hour match made Crawley the first active collegian to win in the “qualees” of this year’s final Grand Slam event.

On Thursday, the 21-year-old from San Antonio played through three rain delays inside the main grandstand in Flushing, New York, before going into a third-set super overtime for Fiona’s second straight match.

Timea Babos, her 30-year-old opponent and winner of four Grand Slams in doubles, is the former No. 1 in the world doubles rankings and as high as No. 5 in singles. She is 5-foot-10 compared to Crawley’s 5-6 and far more muscular, witnessed by her blazing aces and not-so-delicate double faults. The Hungarian pro has won more than $8 million on the tour.

But, on this rainy day at least, Babos was not as slick as the Carolina girl.

While it didn’t start out like a big brand awareness event for her school, as the affair went into its sixth hour, including the stoppages to dry off the court, Crawley’s crowd got involved with many wearing something light blue.

And though only streamed on ESPN-plus, what a thrill for any tennis fan and Tar Heel alum watching. The lithe and athletic Crawley plays a beautiful baseline game and is quick enough to get to most would-be sideline winners.

“Fiona’s mental and physical toughness has been on full display,” UNC coach Brian Kalbas said from Flushing. “She had to play back-to-back third set tiebreakers. She’s the consummate competitor and personifies fighting spirit.”

The last rain delay caused the match to be suspended until 11:30 Friday morning, as the players, officials, and many fans had been there for nine hours.

Whatever happens will be an anti-climactic result, as the first-to-10-super tiebreaker was tied 5-5 when the rain returned. No matter the outcome, this Tar Heel has made her mark on the biggest stage.

She could have turned pro after her junior season, but chose to stay and help Kalbas’ Tar Heels to defend their ITA and NCAA national championships and defend the doubles title she won with teammate Carson Tanguilig. The duo will compete as a wildcard entry in the U.S. Open next week.

Crawley will come back from New York without prize money, but her pro career is looming after graduation in 2024. And it was unveiled in New York.

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini

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Chansky’s Notebook: Fighting Spirit

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