Caroline Wozniacki ends Melanie Oudin’s dream US Open run

Melanie OudinNinth seed Caroline Wozniacki joined Kim Clijsters, Serena Williams and Yanina Wickmayer in the semifinals of the 2009 US Open, putting an end to Melanie Oudin's fairytale.

Wozniacki defeated Oudin 6-2 6-2 in the quarterfinals, but still, the world No.70 Oudin gave her career a major boost, to the extent that now we’re reading gossip about her family (her father is seeking a divorce from his wife because she cheated on him with Melanie’s tennis coach).

"I've gone from being just a normal-like tennis player to almost everyone in the United States knowing who I am now," said the 17-year-old Oudin, who had defeated four higher-ranked Russians to reach the quarterfinals.

"It's definitely different but I enjoyed it."

Wozniacki's opponent in the semifinals will be Yanina Wickmayer and they have never played each other before. (source: Reuters, photo courtesy of Women Who Serve)

US Open: funny comments about Melanie Oudin

Melanie OudinAmerican 17-year-old Melanie Oudin has suddenly become famous by placing herself as a player the US can count on besides the Williams sisters, although, I have to remind you, she first made headlines at this year’s Wimbledon, having come out of nowhere to reach the fourth round.

As world No.70 Melanie Oudin, the talk of the 2009 US Open, is still a less known player, people have had a few problems with her identity. On the Baseline’s Paula Vergara has made a funny Top 10 list of the comments most overheard at the US Open about Oudin. I love it!

10. She’s French, right?

9. Twin sister? You mean there are two of them?

8. Her boyfriend is cuter than she is.

7. Is that Reese Witherspoon?

6. I say Justine Henin is taller.

5. It’s so weird. She looks American.

4. I heard she writes on her shoes.

3. Who’s that "giant killer?"

2. Oudin speaks English really well.

1. At least she doesn’t grunt.

(photo courtesy of Women Who Serve)

Wozniacki beats Kuznetsova, to play Oudin in US Open quarters

Caroline WozniackiMelanie Oudin won’t have the pleasure of meeting yet another Russian at this US Open, as Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark will be her next opponent, who eliminated the last Russian in the draw, sixth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Ninth seed Caroline Wozniacki reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal by defeating Kuznetsova 2-6 7-6(5) 7-6(3). Wozniacki converted her third match point, having wasted one at 5-4 and one at 6-5 in the third set.

"I hit too many unforced errors and I couldn't control my emotions. And I wanted it so much, so it was pretty hard to control," world No.6 Kuznetsova said. "All credit to her. But you can't win against anybody with those errors. No chance."

The world No.8 Wozniacki was the highest-ranked player never to have been among the final eight at a Grand Slam. World No.18 Virginie Razzano is that player now. (source: Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Melanie Oudin ousts another Russian to reach US Open quarterfinals

Melanie Oudin ousts Nadia Petrova to reach US Open quarterfinalsWorld No.70 Melanie Oudin can now be called the slayer of the Russians, as the 17-year-old American hope defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round, fourth seed Elena Dementieva in the second, seed No.29 Maria Sharapova in the third, and now Nadia Petrova in the fourth.

Oudin won just one game in the opening set, but the second was quite a different story. When the 13th-seeded Petrova was serving for a 5-3 lead, Oudin broke back to level at 4-4, and step by step forced a tiebreak which she decisively won 7-2. Oudin then rolled through the deciding set, taking advantage of Petrova’s 22 unforced errors. Final score: 1-6 7-6(2) 6-3.

As the excitement of the past week didn’t catch up with determined Oudin, she’ll be playing her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Oudin’s opponent in the final eight will be either yet another Russian, sixth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, or ninth-seeded Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

In addition, Oudin’s ranking will rise to at least No.45 when the US Open is over. (photo via Life.com)

US Open third round: Melanie Oudin ousts Maria Sharapova, Dinara Safina sent crashing

Melanie OudinAmerica’s third-highest ranked WTA player Melanie Oudin reached the fourth round of a second straight Grand Slam, pulling off a comeback victory over Maria Sharapova, while world No.1 Dinara Safina finally crashed out of the US Open, having survived two close encounters in the first two rounds.

The 17-year-old Oudin, ranked 70th in the world, beat No.29 seed Maria Sharapova 3-6 6-4 7-5. The Russian hit 63 errors, and less than half as much winners, 30.

Let me remind you that in the previous round Oudin ousted fourth seed Elena Dementieva.

In the first round against world No.167 Olivia Rogowska, the top-seeded Safina lost the first-set tiebreak and rallied from a 3-0 down in the deciding set to advance. Against world No.67 Kristina Barrois in the second round Safina also lost the first set tiebreak and was trailing 2-0 in the third set. Finally, Petra Kvitova, ranked No.72, conquered the shaky world No.1 in another nail-biter, even though Safina had held three match points. Final score: 6-4 2-6 7-6(5).

As everyone knows, Safina is yet to win a Grand Slam title, but will remain on top of the rankings regardless of who wins the US Open title. (photo via Sony Ericsson WTA Tour)

Oudin ends Dementieva's title hopes in US Open second round

Elena DementievaWorld No.70 Melanie Oudin upset fourth seed Elena Dementieva 5-7 6-4 6-3 in the second round of the US Open.

The American 17-year-old had never before this week won a US Open match. Actually, her first wins at a Grand Slam came at this year's Wimbledon, when she impressively reached the fourth round.

Dementieva was one of the favorites for the title, but instead Oudin handed the Russian her joint-earliest ever exit at the US Open.

Melanie OudinOudin’s opponent in the third round will be either three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova or another US teenager Christina McHale.

Additional info: Melanie Oudin is sporting the one-of-a-kind adidas Barricade V’s (pictured) that she personally designed for her US Open campaign. (photo via Sony Ericsson WTA Tour)

Jelena Jankovic states Melanie Oudin "doesn't have any weapons"

Jelena JankovicJelena Jankovic, who was stunned by 17-year-old Melanie Oudin in the third round of Wimbledon, didn’t want to blame her own lack of quality for the defeat and even characterized her opponent’s game as mediocre.

From what I have seen, she can play if you let her play. But she cannot hurt you with anything. She doesn't have any weapons, from what I've seen. She's a consistent and quite solid player. She doesn't make so many mistakes. But she doesn't do anything either, so it's like she's depending kind of on you.

These statements seem especially unacceptable when you consider that Oudin made 38 winners to Jankovic's 13.

I'm a Jankovic fan but she should have shown respect for her opponent and accepted her own decline, despite the diziness that affecteed her during the match. (source: Tennis Head, photo: Life)

Jelena Jankovic eliminated from Wimbledon, improved Ana Ivanovic advances

Jelena JankovicSixth seed Jelena Jankovic fell in the third round of Wimbledon 2009 to American world No.124 Melanie Oudin 6-7 (8) 7-5 6-2, while her fellow Serb Ana Ivanovic made a better showing than usual and advanced to the fourth round.

The former world No.1 Jankovic lost to qualifier Oudin in three sets, but even that first set she won in a tiebreaker could have easily went into the hands of Oudin who had four set points. The second set was equally intriguing. Oudin overcame a 5-4 deficit and since then the match turned into the biggest upset of the first week of Wimbledon.

Oudin has been making her Wimbledon debut this week, and before she had a 0-2 record in Grand Slam matches. After the tournament the 17-year-old will crack the Top 100 for the first time.

Ana Ivanovic had a much more difficult opponent in her third-round match, in the form of Roland Garros semifinalist Samatha Stosur, ranked 19th in the world. The 13th-seeded Ivanovic beat Stosur 7-5 6-2 and will next face the most difficult opponent, five-time Wimbledon titlist and defending champion Venus Williams.

Ivanovic took the Australian’s serve in the first game and marched on for a 4-2 lead. Stosur then leveled at 4-4, but Ivanovic broke again and served out for the set. In the second set Ivanovic raced to a 4-0 lead, and it was clear she would advance and finally show us she can still play solidly. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)


Page 2 of 2«12