NEW YORK (AP) Melanie Oudin (oo-DAN) will forever be known as the darling of the 2009 U.S. Open. The 50 weeks since that tournament haven't gone nearly as well for the teen from Marietta, Ga.
When this year's U.S. Open begins Monday, Oudin will return to the site of her breakthrough having lost four matches in a row. She is 17-20 this season, including 1-3 at the other three Grand Slam tournaments.
A year ago, Oudin's gee-whiz attitude and sneakers with ``BELIEVE'' stamped on the heels put her in the spotlight. Her victories over Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva helped make her the youngest U.S. Open quarterfinalist since Serena Williams in 1999.
Oudin's coach, Brian de Villiers, says fans are placing expectations on her'' andpeople forget she's only 18.''