On Labor Day Melanie Oudin defeated her fourth Russian in a row, #13 ranked Nadia Petrova 1-6, 7-6, 6-3. Oudin was blown away in the first set losing 6-1. It was important to get the crowd into it and that started by winning the first game of the second set.
In the second set Oudin held serve for the first time. She won the first game and went on to lead 3-1. Petrova battled back to tie then take the lead 4-3. Oudin broke serve to tie the set at 4-4. Oudin kept yelling "COME ON" and the kept the crowd active. They exchanged games and Oudin had double set point with Petrova serving. Petrova held serve to go to a tiebreak. Oudin won the tiebreak easily 7-2 to take the set 7-6.
On to the third and deciding set. Petrova opened with the longest bathroom break in the history of the US Open, anything to break Oudin's rhythm. The opening game of the third set saw five deuces with Oudin breaking serve. Oudin took an early lead 2-1. Petrova went back to the early game plan and attacked to tie it at 2-2. Oudin broke serve twice to take a 5-2 lead. Serving for the match Petrova broke Oudin to stay alive at 5-3. Oudin broke serve fittingly to win the set 6-2. It was an amazing finish for the 17-year-old on earning her first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance.
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