Rising U.S. tennis star overcomes questions about her size

A rising young tennis star is overcoming questions about her size and health.

Chicagoan Taylor Townsend lost Friday at the French Open, but only after an impressive run, reports CBS News' Mark Phillips.

Ranked 205th in the world, Townsend won Wednesday against French top player Alize Cornet, ranked 20th, advancing to the third round of the Open.

The result of what was expected to be a lop-sided match may have shocked Paris, but it didn't shock anyone who has followed the fascinating career of this 18-year-old.

"I really believed in myself and really believed that I could do it, and so when I did it I was shocked and I was so happy," Townsend said. "But at the same time I felt like I should have done it, like this should have happened. Like, you belong here."

Townsend is becoming known for more than her tennis or even her victory dance.

She's become a controversy because of her weight. Despite ranking number one as a junior, the U.S. Tennis Association held back support money for health reasons -- code for: they thought she was too heavy.

Townsend however argued that her shape was her shape, that she didn't have to conform to some idealized image of what a tennis player -- or any woman -- should look like.

"They can say whatever they want to say, but no one really understands," Townsend said. "They're not in my body, they're not here, they're not playing so it's like, whatever they want to say, they can say. But I just try to keep the ball rolling."

Townsend, despite or maybe because of her size, is quick around the court and is a natural hitter of the ball. She is, people on the circuit say, the future.

Even Andy Murray, the current Wimbledon champion thought so.

"How good is Taylor Townsend! #talent" he tweeted.

Townsend may get to do her victory dance a lot more in her career.