By Varvara Lepchenko

Note: American Varvara Lepchenko is blogging for Tennis Now during her time at the 2012 U.S. Open. (Read her previous entries here, here, and here.) 

After losing in singles (3R, to Stosur) and doubles (with partner Saisai Zheng to Errani/Vinci), she had her final run in mixed doubles with Donald Young. They lost in the second round to the Czech team of Hradecka and Czermak.

(September 3, 2012) --  

We fought hard, but Donald [Young] and I finished up our 2012 U.S. Open with a doubles loss to Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak. We had a few close line calls go against us when we were up a set and 2-0, and that’s all it took for the momentum to change. We lost a heartbreaker, but that’s tennis. You just have to move on.

On the plus side, I’m really glad to have had the chance to play with Donald. Of course I hear the rumors out there, but my experience with him has been 100 percent positive. He’s just a nice guy...even a little bit shy. At the risk of going overboard with the compliments, I have to tell you that he’s a gentleman, too! Each time we switched sides, he would stop at the net and let me walk ahead of him to my chair. And when I played Sam Stosur on Friday in the first match of the day, he agreed to come out on his day off to warm me up in the morning. To be honest, if the roles were reversed, I might not have done the same. Like I said, he’s a really nice guy.

I’m sad to be out of the U.S. Open, but overall it was a great tournament for me. I’ve come a long way this year, without a doubt. After getting my U.S. citizenship last fall, I’ve been able to travel more and improve the consistency of my practices. Plus, I’ve loved getting the chance to train with all of the amazing coaches at the USTA like Jorge Todero, Jay Berger, and Patrick McEnroe.

It’s crazy to think that when I contacted Nike in January to ask about a possible clothing sponsorship, I told them I expected to be in the top 20 by year’s end. At the time I was ranked close to 120! We’ll see what happens next week when the post-U.S. Open rankings come out. Odds are good that I’ll at least squeeze into the top 25. And with Korea, Beijing, and Moscow next on my tournament calendar, there’s still room to improve.

I’ll stay in New York for one more week to train before I head to Asia, but today I’m treating myself to a mani-pedi. There’s nothing better than a little VIP treatment at the spa!

I’ve so enjoyed blogging for Tennis Now over the last week. Your support means so much to me, and I hope you continue to track my progress. The best way to do that is to follow me on Twitter: @Varunchik1.

-Varvara

(Photo Credit: Andy Kentla)