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Opinion: Melanie Oudin's Combative Spirit; Rewriting American Anthem
By Franklin L. Johnson
(April 25, 2010) Melanie Oudin sometimes still has that deer-in-the-headlights look about her on court, but there is no denying the effort level the teenager from Marietta, Georgia exudes: it is the glare of a young woman who gives it everything she's got.
Oudin bent a little bit at the end of the second set in Birmingham yesterday, but battled through to a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Alla Kudryavtseva in the opening match of the Fed Cup semifinal at the BJCC Arena.
Elena Dementieva dismissed Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 6-4, 6-3, to even the best-of-five match semi. Now, a trip to the final rides on today's triple bill of matches.
This American team may lack star power without the Williams sisters, but Oudin gives captain Mary Joe Fernandez's crew a scrappiness that just could be the key ingredient to send the squad into it's second straight Fed Cup final.
Let's be honest: Oudin pulled through primarily because she is fitter, feistier and fiercer than her Russian counterpart.
I'm surprised Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev couldn't come up with a better singles player than Alla.
There are 15 Russian women ranked in the top 100 and the best option they come up with is No. 78 Alla?
Mary Joe and company can't complain: the Yanks have a really good shot at moving on to the final.
At the risk of stating the obvious: today's ultimate outcome may well hinge on how Oudin does against Dementieva.
Bethanie tried to lay down the law on Dementieva, but was under almost constant fire on her second serve. Bethanie is a great doubles player because she doesn't have to cover the whole court, but she can be exposed on the singles court. No disrespect intended, but when you stand Beth next to Elena, it's a no contest. Beth looks like the Pillsbury Dough Girl while Elena has a body by Amazon.
Win or lose, the USTA has to do its due diligence and ask the question we are all asking watching: why can't we field two quality singles players?
What's up with this?
Still, give MJ and company credit that even without a big name (though Liezel Huber is No. 1 in the world in doubles she can only factor in one of the five matches) they are on the verge of a second straight trip to the final.
Dementieva did not play her best. She didn't have to. Also, Dementieva demonstrated she could play an entire match without her mother courtside. Bethanie gave it her best shot. Elena is too physical and just had too many ways to beat her.
Can someone explain to me how pro players can even compete being in this bad shape. Corina Morariu commented Beth's in the best shape she's been in a while. How could this be? Where are the standards? Corina looks like she's in better shape than two of the players who started yesterday and Corina is retired for crying out loud!
Since we're on an Americna anthem, I just watched the replay of 2009 Rome final between Rafa and Nole. They both spoke in Italian during the trophy ceremony, highlighting one of our nation's weaknesses.
I'm sick and tired of Americans walking around being proud they only speak one language — for the most part, it's pig English. What kind of God forsaken nation have we become?
Americans should be speaking several languages, just like all the other people in the world with international reputations to support.
Franklin L. Johnson is a Tennis Now contributing writer who has covered and played tennis for more than three decades. He is based in New York.
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