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NEW YORK -- American qualifier Taylor Townsend nearly inaugurated the new Grandstand Stadium with an upset.The 20-year-old Townsend split the first two sets with two-time U.S. Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki in front of a near-capacity crowd of 8,000 in the new digs at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.With fans huddled in the shade of the west side awning on a 91-degree day and chanting her name, the 146th-ranked Townsend took a 4-3 lead in the third set with her solid lefty groundstrokes and slice backhands. But Wozniacki won the next three games, breaking Townsend for a 5-4 lead before serving out the 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 match.I could taste it, I was so close, said Townsend, who trains in the heat in Atlanta.Townsend turned around a 3-1 deficit in the first set to the delight of the crowd. Wozniacki took control early in the second set for a 3-0 lead. In the third, Townsend had several ill-advised drop shots, but she won a 29-shot rally for 30-30 and the game when Wozniacki stopped play to challenge a shot she thought was out.But the replay showed Townsends ball was in, and she took a 4-3 lead.It was a confidence-builder, because I know that for someone like her, she just thrives on rallies like that, Townsend said of Wozniacki, who ran the 2014 New York City Marathon. It proves something to me, that I can hang in rallies like that.The heat advisory was in effect, but neither player used the allowed break. Wozniacki went to the ice towel a few times just to stay cool.Wozniacki has slipped to No. 74 in the rankings after missing two months because of an injured ankle. She recently entered the Connecticut Open as a wild card and lost in the first round of a tournament shes won four times.At this point, Im just happy when Im healthy, she said. Thats been my focus this year, to try and get back to healthy and 100 percent body-wise. Its been a struggle, but I feel like Im there now.Wozniacki lives in New York part-time and has the comforts of home during the final major of the year.It just feels so good to be able to stay at home and cook and have chilled nights, she said.Townsend, who has a 34-16 singles record, won her qualifying matches last week to get into the main field at the U.S. Open. She was really happy to play the first match on the new court.I didnt realize how big it was until people started to come in and it started to get a little more packed, Townsend said. People started cheering. I was in awe. Its such a beautiful stadium.While Townsend reached the third round of the French Open in 2014 -- her best finish at a major -- shes content to learn from this experience on a big stage.I cant really beat myself up too much, Townsend said. 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Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Two teams that didnt live up to preseason hype square off Wednesday, when Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury visit the Indiana Fever for a win-or-go-home, first-round playoff battle at Bankers Life Fieldhouse that could mark the final game of veteran star Tamika Catchings.One of the WNBAs all-time greats, Catchings has announced that she will retire when the Fevers season ends, which could be Wednesday.The first two rounds of this seasons playoffs are single-elimination, so there is no tomorrow for Wednesdays loser. The winner advances to the second round and will face either the New York Liberty or the Chicago Sky on the road.The Fever, after reaching last years WNBA Finals, were expected to be among the top-tier of contenders again this season. But Indiana (17-17) struggled with inconsistency, especially on the offensive end and didnt secure home court in the first round of the playoffs until an 83-60 win over the Dallas Wings in their regular season finale.Indiana is 11th in the league in scoring, averaging 80.5 points per gaame, and last in the league in rebounding.ddddddddddddThe Mercury (16-18) also experienced a disappointing regular season. With Taurasi returning from a one-year hiatus to join with Brittney Griner and Penny Taylor, Phoenix was expected to be a top-tier contender. Instead, the Mercury barely got into the playoffs, winning three of their last four to secure the eighth seed.Their struggles, for the most part, havent come on the offensive end of the court. Taurasi leads five Mercury players averaging in double figures at 17.8 points per game. She scored 19 points in Phoenixs 79-65 win at Indiana on Aug. 31, the teams most recent meeting.Indiana won two of three overall against Phoenix this season, but will have their hands full with Griner, who has emerged as the leagues premier shot-blocker. Her 107 blocks led the WNBA this season and were 28 more than second-place Elizabeth Williams of the Atlanta Dream. ' ' '