Oudin strikes again as fancied Dementieva crashes out
FOURTH seed Elena Dementieva became the first major casualty of the US Open last night after crashing out to American teenager Melanie Oudin.
World No70 Oudin, still 17, caused a major shock earlier this summer by knocking out Jelena Jankovic in the third round at Wimbledon.
And she claimed another high-profile scalp by beating the Russian Olympic champion 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 to earn a third round clash with ninth seed Caroline Wozniacki.
Top seed Dinara Safina is also safely through after another shaky win, over Kristina Barrois 6-7 (5-7) 6-2, 6-3.
In the men’s draw, Spanish 10th seed Fernando Verdasco will meet Germany’s Tommy Haas in the third round after both eased to straight sets victories. Verdasco cruised past Florent Serra 6-3, 6-0, 6-3, while Haas completed a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) victory over American Robert Kendrick.
World No1 Roger Federer saw off Germany’s Simon Greul 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 in the early hours of yesterday, while second seed Andy Murray takes on Chile’s Paul Capdeville tonight.