No. 4 and 5 seeds ousted by youngsters; Sharapova through after easy night session match on Day 4 in N.Y

The first big upsets at the U.S Open began on Thursday, as teenager Melanie Oudin and 21-year-old Yaroslava Shvedova caused major upsets to two of the top 5 seeds, while top seed Dinara Safina nearly suffered the same fate.

No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva was beaten by 17-year-old Oudin in three sets, with a score of 57 64 63.

"The whole thing was just amazing," said Oudin, who first burst into prominence with a fourth round run at Wimbledon, where she ousted Jankovic along the way for her first Top 10 win; this was her second. "This was pretty big, too. I think this means more to me though, because this is the US Open. I had the whole crowd cheering for me, so much support. I can't believe I won."

"For sure it's disappointing. I was really hoping to play well here. But maybe I overplayed a bit in the summer," said Dementieva, who had by far the best US Open lead-up of the field, placing first in the Olympus US Open Series. "Melanie played really well, though. She was very positive and going for shots, going for winners. It was a solid game from her."

No. 5 seed Jelena Jankovic succumbed to failure after getting beaten in a nail-biter by Shvedova, who made an ace on match point, with a score of 63 67(4) 76(6).

"I like to do aces on match points. I did it twice at the French Open. It was a nice way to end it," Shvedova said. "I told Oudin after my match, 'You inspired me.' I was watching her game. I thanked her. We are good girls today."

The night match featured No. 29 seed Maria Sharapova ousting wildcard Christina McHale, 62 61.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Singles - Second Round

(1) Dinara Safina (RUS) d. Kristina Barrois (GER) 67(5) 62 63

Melanie Oudin (USA) d. (4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 57 64 63

Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) d. (5) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 63 67(4) 76(6)

(6) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 64 62

(9) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (Q) Petra Martic (CRO) 61 60

(13) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. Julie Coin (FRA) 64 76(3)

Sara Errani (ITA) d. (19) Patty Schnyder (SUI) 75 62

(21) Zheng Jie (CHN) d. Alizé Cornet (FRA) 16 63 63

(Q) Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) d. (23) Sabine Lisicki (GER) 63 36 75

(24) Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d. Stéphanie Dubois (CAN) 64 57 64

(29) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (WC) Christina McHale (USA) 62 61

Gisela Dulko (ARG) d. (30) Alona Bondarenko (UKR) 64 60

Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 26 61 64

Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) d. (Q) Shenay Perry (USA) 61 61

Shahar Peer (ISR) d. Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 62 60

Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Tathiana Garbin (ITA) 61 63