Victoria Duval may only be 17 and sounds like she's 12 when she talks. But the young American proved she has a game to beat a Grand Slam champion.
Taking on No. 13 seed Sam Stosur, Duval looked headed for an early exit in her opening round match after falling behind a set and 2-4 in the second. But Stosur, who had chances to take a 5-2 lead, couldn't shut the door and allowed Duval back in the match.
By attacking Stosur's favorite forehand side, Duval pulled ahead and soon took the second set 6-4. Both players stayed close with each other in the final set, but a poor game from Stosur soon gave Duval a break of serve for 4-3.
Stosur saved one match point against her with an inside out forehand and then forced Duval to serve for it at 5-4. A tense final game saw Duval hold several match points with Stosur threatening to break back and level the set.
But on her fourth match point, Duval ripped a forehand winner of her own to claim the stunning 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win in onlyher second career Grand Slam match.
Speaking to ESPN's Pam Shriver afterwards, Duval thanked tennis legend Billie Jean King for her support of Duval during World Team Tennis this summer.
Duval acknowledged her parents as well who endured a tough life in Haiti before moving to the United States to help further their daughter's tennis career.
"I just tried to stay in the moment. I'm just really excited right now," said a squeaky-voiced Duval to the delight of the Louis Armstrong crowd. "I have a lot to be thankful for. You never know what can happen any day. My dad is really fortunate to be here. I thank God every day for everything that's happened. Life is short."
Duval will play Daniela Hantuchova in the next round.
Follow Erik Gudris on Twitter @ATNTennis |