U.S. open quarterfinals: Melanie Oudin vs. Caroline Wozniacki
American teenager Melanie Oudin, 17, has been the story of this year’s U.S. Open so far, having owned four Russian opponents despite losing the first set in all of them. Thus it might be easy to overlook tonight’s quarterfinal opponent in Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki.
Oudin is a +180 underdog on WagerWeb.com.
She is the 70th-ranked player in the world, sharing a room with her mom at a hotel in Manhattan. Her latest come-from-behind upset in Queens was 1-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3 over 13th-seeded Nadia Petrova on Monday. Oudin admits that she’s not quite sure how she’s defeated the Russian women, all in the top 40 and one ranking as high as number four.
“I didn’t think they had weaknesses, all the matches that I’ve played have been really close and I’ve just been able to pull them out,” she said.
The upset of Petrova follows comebacks from a set down against three-time major champion Maria Sharapova in the third round and No. 4 Elena Dementieva — a two-time Grand Slam finalist and Beijing Olympics gold medalist — in the second.
“I don’t actually mean to lose the first set,” explained a smiling Oudin, 17-4 this season in three-setters. “I sometimes just start off slowly, I guess. Maybe I’m a little nervous.”
Wozniacki, 19, is the 9th seed with more wins on tour than anyone this year, and she’s the youngest women’s player on tour currently ranked in the top 20. She’s the only seeded player remaining on that side of the draw. She beat No. 6 Svetlana Kuznetsova 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) Monday night to reach her first major quarterfinal. Wozniacki said she was prepared for the loud support Oudin was bound to receive in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I think for sure she’ll have the home advantage, the home crowd,” she said. “I think they’ll be rooting for her and not against me. I’m sure I’ll have some supporters out there.”
Oudin has been a great story, but Wozniacki is for real and will win this match rather easily. But we may have a new star in American tennis.
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