Teen sensation, Melanie Oudin, was eliminated in the women’s quarterfinals of the U.S. Open on Wednesday. The 17 year old Marietta, Georgia native was beaten 6-2, 6-2 by ninth seeded, Caroline Wozniacki. The Denmark diva dominated a driven Oudin in defeat. Wozniacki won 14 of the first 18 points on her way to dropping her teenage opponent in two sets. Oudin was the surprise story of the U.S. Open and a woman on a magical ride as she plowed through established players such as Elena Dementieva and Maria Sharapova. The youngest U.S. Open quarterfinalist since Serena Williams came on the scene in 1999, Oudin impressed and won over the New York crowd the past few weeks. Oudin’s gutsy comeback victories appealed to the masses in Flushing, and worldwide. Her last three wins occurred after she dropped the first set. Melanie did not have much last night and committed 43 unforced errors to Wozniacki’s 20. It was also Wozniacki’s first trip to the quarterfinals, and now the 19 year old Dane will compete in her first ever Grand Slam semifinal. The steady baseline counterpuncher will have to figure out fellow 19 year old, Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer in the next round.
The NFL season is finally here. The defending Superbowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers play the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field tonight. Ben Roethlisberger and the high charge Steeler offense get reacquainted but will have to prevent the tenacious Titans from redemption. The Pittsburgh quarterback dismantled the Titans in the 2005 season opener. Pittsburgh won the game 34-7 that year. Now the team is poised to repeat as champions behind wide receiver, Hines Ward and defensive pounders, linebackers James Farrior and James Harrison. Hines and the James’ are a year older, and have won the admiration of Steeler nation with their ability. Their AFC South opponents are no slouches either. LenDale White and Chris Johnson are the dual-headed monster running back tandem on the Titans side of the ball waiting to blow fire. Johnson compiled 1,228 yards in 2008 and a thirty pound lighter White should see improvement in the backfield. The season opener will feature plenty of drama. Tennessee seeks to obtain what they fell short of last season---a Superbowl appearance. They started the 2008 season 10-0 and turned in the best record at 13-3 when all was said and done. The Titans’ three point loss to Baltimore in the playoffs was a disheartening end to the feel-good year. Jeff Fisher, the well-spoken head coach, returns twenty starters but will be without All-Pro defensive tackle, Albert Haynesworth. The Titans have a new offensive look but are hoping to reach a higher level in establishing themselves in the conference. Thirty-seven year old former Penn State quarterback, Kerry Collins, returns to call the signals for Tennessee. Speedy receiver, Nate Washington, and Kenny Britt, the 30th draft pick straight out of Rutgers, will be the main deep targets. Jared Cook is a threat to score at the tight end slot too. The veteran offensive line is led by All-Pro center, Kevin Mawae. The line set a franchise record in 2008 with just 12 sacks allowed. If Collins can stay off his back, the offense always has a chance to make plays.
Parting Points: An oldie but a goodie song: “Two Princes” by Spin Doctors
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