Young US tennis star Melanie Oudin in the spotlight
The professional tennis player from the United States of America, Melanie Oudin made a magical appearance in the quarterfinal round of the 2009 United States Open.
The eighteen-year old, Georgia resident came from nowhere to stun the world by upsetting her Russian tennis opponents, Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva as well as Nadia Petrova. Her dream run ended when she fell to the ultimate runner-up, Caroline Wozniacki, in the quarterfinal round of the Grand Slam.
However, this year has not been a great one for the American. Ever since her quarterfinal run at the Family Circle Cup back in April, the right handed Oudin has failed to go beyond the second round in her previous nine championships.
Currently ranked as number forty-four by the WTA, Oudin, failed in her efforts to be seeded at the US Open this year. But she secured a seed on her debut at Wimbledon, where she was outlasted by her Australian opponent, Jarmila Groth, in the second round.
Melanie, the third highest ranked women tennis player from the United States of America behind the William sisters, answered her critics. She said that they have credited her last year’s US Open victories to her opponent’s weak game instead of appreciating her game of tennis, despite her being seventeen years old at the time.
“It’s not something easy to do being a young player. However, one good thing about last year was that nobody in the world was aware of my name and I enjoyed greatly playing under such conditions as there was no pressure and I fought with a present state of mind”, said Oudin. “But, as a result of my last year’s quarterfinal appearance, expectations have raised from zero to as high as hundred for me this year at Flushing Meadows”, added Oudin.
The 1.7 meters tall American has undoubtedly improved her style of game. However, her serve is still an area of concern as far as the upcoming US Open tennis tournament is concerned. Moreover, Oudin at times also plays impatiently on the court.
While expected to perform well in the championships leading up to the final Grand Slam of the season. But Melanie suffered early losses in four tournaments to Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Samantha Stosur, Victoria Azarenka, as well as Elena Vesnina.
“Oudin is an extremely hard working athlete and I have full confidence in her talent as every time she appears on the court, she looks better than her previous battle”, said the skipper of the American Fed Cup, Mary Fernandez.
“She is now working on improving her serve and to play more attackingly. The best thing in her is her desire to do better and better and play even bigger than her capacity”, added Mary.
With the top ranked American tennis star, Serena Williams, out of the US Open tennis this year as she is recovering from her foot injury. Also, the World number four, Venus Williams has not competitively participated since Wimbledon in June this year, as a result of her knee injury. Given the absence and form of the Williams sisters, Melanie will have a tough time avoiding the spotlight.
“I thought that the attention would decrease by now, however with the arrival of the United States Open this year, people are once again talking about my game and form and let’s see how far i can go at the Flushing Meadows this season,” said Oudin
The American, Oudin, further added that if she manages to handle the pressure of expectations, another decent performance at Flushing Meadows is not too impossible.
“I don’t have any doubts as far as my talent is concerned and surely I can repeat it once again. However, I am not going to feel the pressure and even think about it”, she said.
The professional tennis player from the United States of America, Melanie Oudin made a magical appearance in the quarterfinal round of the 2009 United States Open.
The eighteen-year old, Georgia resident came from nowhere to stun the world by upsetting her Russian tennis opponents, Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva as well as Nadia Petrova. Her dream run ended when she fell to the ultimate runner-up, Caroline Wozniacki, in the quarterfinal round of the Grand Slam.
However, this year has not been a great one for the American. Ever since her quarterfinal run at the Family Circle Cup back in April, the right handed Oudin has failed to go beyond the second round in her previous nine championships.
Currently ranked as number forty-four by the WTA, Oudin, failed in her efforts to be seeded at the US Open this year. But she secured a seed on her debut at Wimbledon, where she was outlasted by her Australian opponent, Jarmila Groth, in the second round.
Melanie, the third highest ranked women tennis player from the United States of America behind the William sisters, answered her critics. She said that they have credited her last year’s US Open victories to her opponent’s weak game instead of appreciating her game of tennis, despite her being seventeen years old at the time.
“It’s not something easy to do being a young player. However, one good thing about last year was that nobody in the world was aware of my name and I enjoyed greatly playing under such conditions as there was no pressure and I fought with a present state of mind”, said Oudin. “But, as a result of my last year’s quarterfinal appearance, expectations have raised from zero to as high as hundred for me this year at Flushing Meadows”, added Oudin.
The 1.7 meters tall American has undoubtedly improved her style of game. However, her serve is still an area of concern as far as the upcoming US Open tennis tournament is concerned. Moreover, Oudin at times also plays impatiently on the court.
While expected to perform well in the championships leading up to the final Grand Slam of the season. But Melanie suffered early losses in four tournaments to Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Samantha Stosur, Victoria Azarenka, as well as Elena Vesnina.
“Oudin is an extremely hard working athlete and I have full confidence in her talent as every time she appears on the court, she looks better than her previous battle”, said the skipper of the American Fed Cup, Mary Fernandez.
“She is now working on improving her serve and to play more attackingly. The best thing in her is her desire to do better and better and play even bigger than her capacity”, added Mary.
With the top ranked American tennis star, Serena Williams, out of the US Open tennis this year as she is recovering from her foot injury. Also, the World number four, Venus Williams has not competitively participated since Wimbledon in June this year, as a result of her knee injury. Given the absence and form of the Williams sisters, Melanie will have a tough time avoiding the spotlight.
“I thought that the attention would decrease by now, however with the arrival of the United States Open this year, people are once again talking about my game and form and let’s see how far i can go at the Flushing Meadows this season,” said Oudin
The American, Oudin, further added that if she manages to handle the pressure of expectations, another decent performance at Flushing Meadows is not too impossible.
“I don’t have any doubts as far as my talent is concerned and surely I can repeat it once again. However, I am not going to feel the pressure and even think about it”, she said.
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