Melanie Oudin pulled off another stunning victory in her fourth round match at the U.S. Open on Monday, September 7 when she defeated Nadia Petrova. The Marietta, Georgia 17-year-old beat her Russian opponent 1-6, 7-6, 6-3 to become the youngest American female to get into the quarter finals since Serena Williams a decade ago.
Oudin will go head to head against 19-year-old Caroline Wozniacki, a Danish beauty who calls Monte Carlo, Monaco home. They will meet for their quarter final match on Wednesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium. View photos of Wozniacki here.
Oudin, pronounced Oo-dan’, is of French descent and has a twin sister Katherine. The 5’6″ 130 lb. right handed player has been home-schooled since seventh grade so that she could devote her time to tennis. She turned pro in 2008 and considers Justine Henin her idol. The Belgian player retired in 2008 while ranked #1 in the world.
Oudin, in her Wimbledon debut earlier this year, was ranked 124 coming into the tournament and cracked 100 for the first time. She lost her fourth round match against #11 seed, twenty-year-old Polish player Agnieszka Radwanska.
Third round action was just as exciting and just as intense. Oudin went head-to-head on Saturday against Russian athlete and 29th seed Maria Sharapova – photo gallery here and here.
John Oudin and his wife Leslie were in attendance at Arthur Ashe Stadium to cheer on their daughter. Melanie, currently ranked #70, is coached by Brian de Villiers. Also in the stands were Leslie Oudin, Katherine Oudin, Christina Oudin and Melanie Oudin boyfriend Austin Smith – see photo here.
View more photos and her 4th round victory on video below.
US Open victory September 7, 2009