Oudin: The Future of American Tennis?

17-Year-Old Georgian Has Notched Three Upsets at the U.S. Open; Will She Take the Mantle from Venus and Serena Williams?

(CBS)  For years now, American women's tennis has been summed up in one word: Williams. The Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, have been champions for nearly a decade.

Now there is a new American hero - a teenager who today pulled off her third straight upset at the U.S. Open. CBS News correspondent Kelly Wallace has the story of Melanie Oudin.

Playing with a mix of confidence and determination well beyond her 17 years, Melanie Oudin's fiery brand of tennis has won the hearts of American tennis fans. She's the hottest sensation at this year's tournament.

"She's a bulldog," one fan said. "She never gives up."

Today's win over the Russian 13th seed Nadia Petrova was her Oudin's third straight upset of a ranked player, and overwhelmed her parents and twin sister. It makes her the youngest American woman to make the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open since Serena Williams a decade ago.

Photo essay: Melanie Oudin

"This is good for American tennis" Oudin said. "I'm so happy to be in my first quarterfinal in a grand-slam ever!"

Hailing from the suburbs of Atlanta, Oudin proved herself to be a true Georgia bulldog - losing the first set and almost the match, before coming back from behind.

The spunky teen, who just a year ago was ranked 212th, so believes she can write a Cinderella story this year that she's wearing her motto - "Believe" - on her pink and yellow sneakers.

"She gave me a couple free points and I started playing better and getting my confidence and believing I could do it and I did," she said after the match.

Even before her victory, Oudin has been called the future of American tennis, who could pick up the mantle one day from 29-year-old Venus and 27-year-old Serena Williams.

"I think she's a breath of fresh air," said CBS Sports anchor Mary Jo Fernandez. "She gets giddy and emotional - and she's just so excited and you see it in her eyes."

For Oudin the future is here. The 5-foot-6 teen knows if she wants to make real history, she'll have to knock off a few more big names.

"It's not about size, I don't think, and power," she said. "It's about how tough you are mentally and how smart you play on the court."

As her tennis friends cheered her on back home in Georgia, the wide-eyed Oudin faces something she's hasn't yet encountered in her dream run - great expectations.

[valentin73]

An Upset is just: an upset, there has been three upsets at the US Open, Where was she (Oudin) all this time, before the open, .....
its too early to tell, (nyuk, nyuk) for sukking out loud. Just because she is white, and 17 years old does not make her fabulous.

[dontknowitall]

Well here we are in the 21st century and a white person can't praise a white person without being labeled a racist. Me? I think it's great when I look down the street at all the white homies immitating the brothers. You know the casual and formal look? Underware hanging out, pants down around the ankles. The clothes alone tell the story. And then there's the hand movement continually making it's way to the package. Kind of like saying hello,in a minority sort of way that is. Then of course there are the European whites and the Asians but not to worry because there aren't any racial tensions anywhere other than here. And. Imagine all of these foreigners that end up on our soil and after only a few short months they speak english that we can be understood. Yup, last thing I want to see as a role model is an white, pigtailed blond with green eyes that I can understand.

[XmenII]

White America wants a "Great white hope so, so bad that are already given in to wild speculation about an unproven tennis player who just having a good and very lucky run...That they are already casting aside two of the greatest American players that have played the game.. But as history so brilliantly continues to show the world... it is usually a lost cause... especially in sports... America and the international Tennis world as a whole has always mistreated and under estimated the Williams sisters and every player who is not blonde haired and blue eyed throughout the history of tennis. Whether it be product endorsements or concern over the size of a black players butt... I always believe wholeheartdly in giving everyone the due they are deserved.. and therefore I applaud Ms Oudin.. But lets not get carried away with her just yet.. we all witnessed the quick demise of more recently Sharapova and that other russian pin up disaster... You Go Girls...All American Players....

[gangesdak]

Keep it up girl. Blaze your way. All the success to you.

[mysteryroche]

I am white and too be honest, I think you are correct on most of your points. That's just the way people are. You didn't see a lot of black people even considering voting for John McCain this past November. However, I don't think the problem with the Williams sisters just has to do with the color of their skin. They just aren't that feminine or attractive and then there's the whole freakshow with their dad, etc. A lot of people just don't take to them. Now put someone that looks Gabriella Union or Halle Berre in a tennis skirt, give them a normal support team (family, coach, etc.) and a good attitude and people would love them. People many times do have an initial reaction to identifying with people of the same background (color) but if anything, this past election shows that America (especially White America) can get past that given the right person.

[John_Merritt]

Mystery Roche:

I am a middle aged white male and I love the way the WIlliams sisters play. They are not sore on the eyes either. What is the one common denominator when you see stars? They all start young and they practice to they drop. Does not matter the color of skin, we are equal. Two arms, two legs, one brain. The difference lies under the sternum. It is called the heart. Heart, patience and practice will take you to the gold each and every time. Good day. Good luck Melanie.

[sam-kiley]

bonjour
bravo...

[kerry4ever]

The next great white hope!

[AttentionDeficit]

I love watching Melanie. Good luck, girl

[John_Merritt]

Melanie looks like she has a great future. I like her tenacity and her toughness. 17 yrs. old. It is about time our American young people are back in the game because I am tired reading about other country's stars. We have enough here, and remember we are the best. All you have to look is go over the final results in the Summer Games. We are getting better at winter sports, but the EU has a firm grasp. Good Luck Melanie I love your spirit.