GA_googleAddSlot("ca-pub-1197233282945943", "Star_Sports_Skyscraper");

Sports

Saturday October 3, 2009

Oudin crashes out in qualifying round

BEIJING: The reality of life on the pro tennis tour hit home for teenager Melanie Oudin yesterday, when she crashed out in qualifying for the China Open just weeks after her surprising run to the US Open quarter-finals.

Oudin lost to fellow American Alexa Glatch 2-6, 7-5, 6-3. Oudin, who just turned 18, was ranked 42nd in the world. Glatch was ranked No. 115.

The early defeat delays what has been a breakthrough year for Oudin. The Georgia native was the early story at Flushing Meadows with her upset wins over fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva and former No. 1-ranked Maria Sharapova.

Oudin also made the fourth-round at Wimbledon, knocking off another former No. 1 – Jelena Jankovic – on the way.

The China Open main draw starts today for the women. World No. 1 Dinara Safina, Serena and Venus Williams, and 2008 champion Jankovic are among the favourites.

The men’s competition starts on Monday, with world No. 2 Rafael Nadal the favourite in a field containing defending champion Andy Roddick and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic.

Nadal has recovered from an abdominal injury that kept him sidelined since losing in the US Open semi-finals to eventual champion Juan Martin del Potro. — AP


For more reports on the tennis from the China Daily, a partner with The Star in the Asia News Network, click here

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story

Sports Poll