Taylor Townsend gave a spicy on-court interview after she reached the US Open mixed doubles semi-final with Donald Young.

The doubles world No. 8 directly pointed out some members of the crowd and gave a shoutout to her “haters”.

Townsend has joined forces with Young in what is the 35-year-old’s farewell tournament. Young will retire after the US Open and could be going out on a high, as he and Townsend are two wins from the title.

But they faced some difficulty in their quarter-final match against defending champions Harri Heliovaara and Anna Danilina on Monday. Not only were the all-American duo forced to come back from a set down, but they also faced some “haters” in the stands.

After winning 6-7(3) 6-3 [10-8], Townsend had a message for their hecklers. “Shoutout to the haters in that corner over there. They’re gone,” she said, pointing out exactly where they had been sitting.

The Wimbledon women’s doubles champion put her hand to her ear and continued: “Where are you? I don’t hear you anymore. It’s okay. It’s okay. No, no, no, it’s okay, they’re gone. I don’t hear them anymore.”

Townsend received loud cheers as she called out the unruly spectators. And she made sure to thank those who had been backing them. The 28-year-old added: “Holy s***. The energy – it really pushed us through. You guys are lit.

“These are the moments we live for, 10-8 in the third, alongside Donald. It’s very nostalgic for me. I’m very happy to be on the same side as him, and that forehand not coming on my head.”