I couldn't be happier to see a fresh face going deep at the US Open!

Has anyone else been bored with Women’s tennis the past couple of years? How many oft-choking, eastern Euro-clones with one-dimensional games can there be? They’ll have a couple of good wins only to be a mental no-show once they get to the big stage. It’s hard to tell one from the other because all their games are so similar not to mention their looks, as well.

Bring in Melanie Oudin! She first grabbed my attention at Wimbledon by upsetting of Jelena Jankovic at Wimbledon. (Thank you for knocking out the jumbotron starring, drama queen…Miss “how much am I getting” for runner-up?) Now Melanie is blazing through the Russian Front in New York at the 2009 US Open. Oudin’s run here has caused to me actually cheer for someone for the first time in years. I’d settled for rooting for the women to have a competitive match instead. But the American not only beat some high ranked players, she also brought a tough game under pressure. Her variety and quickness make her exciting to watch against the baseline bangers. Please let me also mention (ok, drool over) the exquisite one-handed slice backhand that she uses as a regular shot not just when she can’t reach a two-handed shot.

Last year I even went to the Open for the first time in years. I was sadly disappointed as I wandered from court to court looking for someone that wasn’t robotically banging from the baseline.  Melanie Oudin, thank you for giving a reason to cheer. Keep going for it!