Melanie Oudin could have lived the normal teenager's life of parties and proms, but the 17-year-old Marietta, Ga. resident instead chose to pursue her sport.
Not an extremely promising junior, the University of Georgia's John Isner chose the college route, became an all American, graduated and needed a good two years to work out the kinks in his awkward game.
Oudin's memorable run
 Photos: Check out the best shots of Melanie Oudin's memorable three-match run at the U.S. Open. |
On Saturday in perhaps the biggest day for Georgia in tennis history, Oudin stunned 2006 U.S. Open champion Maria Sharapova 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 and Isner shocked 2003 winner and Andy Roddick 7-6 (3), 6-3, 3-6, 5-7, 7-6 (5).
It was a totally unexpected Dawg Day afternoon in metropolitan New York.
"The hair was kind of standing up on the back of my neck at some points in the match," Isner said. "When (Melanie) beat Dementieva, I told her that was a great job. She's so gutsy. She plays with her heart out there. We kind of have the same attributes. We fight really well. ... I guess we're making the state of Georgia proud."
It was a topsy turvey day at the U.S. Open, with play ending at nearly 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. Not only did Sharapova and Roddick exit, but Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic fought off three match points and stunned No. 1 Dinara Safina in a third set tiebreaker and Spain's Tommy Robredo took down American James Blake. Another American hopeful, Sam Querrey, was shown the door by French Open finalist Robin Soderling.
Unlike Isner, who didn't even have pro aspirations coming out of high school, Oudin had pro dreams before she even went to high school. She decided to home school, rather than continuing hanging out with her twin sister Katherine and her friends in the student quad.
