A Rising Star: Melanie Oudin

CAROUSEL - Melanie Oudin at the U.S. Open Sept. 3, 2009 — AP Photo/Kathy Willens

The U.S. Open began its second week with Melanie Oudin resuming her exhilarating ride with a fourth round win. The 70th-ranked 17-year-old from Marietta, Ga., had never won a U.S. Open match until last week.

Eye on the Ball

Earlier this year Oudin surprised many by upsetting Jelena Jankovic at Wimbledon, before losing to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the fourth round. Oudin was the youngest American woman to reach Wimbledon's fourth round since Jennifer Capriati in 1993.

Round One

Oudin is seen serving to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009. Oudin defeated Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 6-2.

Round Two

Oudin returns to No. 4 Elena Dementieva of Russia, a two-time Grand Slam finalist and the Beijing Olympics gold medalist, during the second round of the U.S. Open, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009.

Footwear

Oudin wears shoes imprinted with "Believe" during her match against Elena Dementieva of Russia, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009.

Victory

Oudin reacts during her match against Elena Dementieva of Russia, during the second round of the U.S. Open, Sept. 3, 2009.

Jubilation

Oudin celebrates her 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Elena Dementieva of Russia, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009.

Round Three

Melanie Oudin serves to three-time major champion Maria Sharapova of Russia during the third round of the U.S. Open, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009.

Another Upset

Oudin celebrates her upset victory over Sharapova. She knocked off the three-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 Saturday, Sept. 5, to reach the U.S. Open's fourth round.

Handshake

The 5-foot-6 Oudin shakes hands with Maria Sharapova. Alhough the Russian double-faulted 21 times, the most by a woman in any 2009 tour match, Oudin's solid groundstrokes, tremendous court coverage and veteran-like presence played significant roles in her stunning win.

Portrait

Melanie Oudin poses in New York's Times Square, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009. Oudin is enjoying the trip of her life in the Big Apple, playing foosball in the players' lounge and using words like "amazing" and "cool" as she works her dizzying way through the draw at Flushing Meadows.

Round Four

Oudin returns to 13th-seeded Nadia Petrova of Russia at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 7, 2009. Oudin struggled, losing the first set in 31 minutes and was one point from falling behind 5-3 in the second. But she rallied to force a tiebreaker.

Celebrate

Melanie Oudin celebrates her 1-6, 7-6(2), 6-3 upset victory over Nadia Petrova of Russia Monday, Sept. 7, 2009. Oudin advances to the U.S. Open quarter-finals.