"The dream...it's not over yet."
--Melanie Oudin, talking with Good Morning America after being eliminated from the U.S. Open.
Oudin finally was sent packing by 9th-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, 6-2, 6-2, in the quarterfinals. Oudin had upset Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova to get to the quarters while garner a huge fan base who fell in love with her youth and energy. American tennis has been given a shot in the arm by Oudin's run and her personality.
Though she finally seemed overwhelmed and outmatched by Wozniacki, we should see much of Melanie Oudin in the future, due to her considerable talent and typically strong mental approach to the game. However, it was her coach who took the blame for the loss.
"I'll take the blame," said her coach Brian de Villiers. "I didn't prepare her mentally, didn't explain to her how this would be a long, tough match and how she needed to be patient. And then her legs weren't there, and she got irritated with herself ..."
Consequently, Oudin produced 43 unforced errors and only 11 winners.
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