Jelena Ostapenko denies fiery accusations as Taylor Townsend US Open row rages on

Jelena Ostapenko insisted she is not racist after telling Taylor Townsend she had "no class" and "no education". The Latvian and the black American clashed after the world doubles No.1 won a feisty clash 7-6 6-1. Townsend, 29, fought back tears in an emotional press conference when she was asked if Ostapenko's accusations had "racist overtones".

The American said: "I can't speak on what her intentions were. "Saying I have no education and no class, I don't really take that personally, because I know that it's so far from the truth and so far from anything. you know, that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated and all of the things when it's the furthest thing from the truth."

The 2017 French Open winner Ostapenko took to social media to complain that Townsend was "disrespectful" for not saying "sorry" after a net cord and complained that the doubles specialist started warming up before the match at the net instead of on the baseline.

Ostapenko said: "Today after the match I told my opponent that she was very disrespectful as she had a net ball in a very deciding [moment] and didn't say [sorry], but her answer was that she doesn't have to say sorry at all.

"There are some rules in tennis which most of the players follow and it was first time ever that this happened to me on tour. If she plays in her homeland it doesn't mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants.

"In the beginning of the match all players are supposed to start warm up on the baseline. The opponent came out and straight away started the warm up [at the net] which is very disrespectful and against the rules of a tennis match."

She later added: "I was NEVER racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world. For me it doesn't matter where you come from." Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek dropped her first set of the tournament before beating Suzan Lames of the Netherlands 6-1 4-6 6-4.

Naomi Osaka claimed Ostapenko's insults to Townsend were "just terrible" and "really bad". Former world No.1 Osaka, whose father is Haitian, said: "I think obviously it's one of the worst things you can say to a Black tennis player in a majority White sport. I know Taylor and I know how hard she's worked and I know how smart she is, so she's the furthest thing from uneducated or anything like that.

"But if you're genuinely asking me about the history of Ostapenko, I don't think that's the craziest thing she's said. I'm going to be honest. I think it's ill timing and the worst person you could have ever said it to.

"And I don't know if she knows the history of it in America. But I know she's never going to say that ever again in her life. It was just terrible. Like, that's just really bad."