Teen Oudin shocks error-prone Sharapova
Maria Sharapova crashed out of the U.S. Open to 17-year-old American sensation Melanie Oudin in a marathon three-setter on Saturday. Oudin produced inspired play in the deciding set to oust Sharapova.Oudin, who shocked Sharapova's fourth-seeded Russian compatriot Elena Dementieva in the second round, put out the former world number one 3-6 6-4 7-5 to reach the last 16.She wept tears of joy after completing her battling victory over 2006 champion Sharapova on the Arthur Ashe Stadium Court.
Oudin, who is racing up the rankings, put out Jelena Jankovic at Wimbledon earlier this year but was assisted by a string of errors by her illustrious opponent. The former world number one served a staggering 21 double faults and made 63 unforced errors to fatally undermine her challenge.
Oudin will now play another Russian, 13th seed Nadia Petrova, for a place in the quarterfinals. Sharapova looked headed for a routine victory after she took the first set, courtesy of four breaks of service, but the mistakes crept into her play as Oudin leveled to the delight of the partisan crowd.
