Melanie Oudin and Caroline Wozniaki battle for a spot in the semis

New York , USA – For all the commotion surrounding Melanie Oudin, nothing worthwhile has been said about the other quarterfinalists at the US Open – all of whom are equally deserving of the props withheld exclusively for Oudin for reaching so far on one of the most demanding stages in sports. The tireless obsession with Oudin, 17, and her remarkable run at the US Open has dwarfed the accomplishments of her fellow competitors – one of which is inked next to Oudin on the billing, set for a showdown on Arthur Ashe, Wednesday night at primetime.

That this one-sided take on the US Open quarters is widespread is somewhat understandable. What with American tennis enjoying its moment in the sun after many years of lurking in the shadows, save only for Serena and Venus Williams rescuing it from relative obscurity, offering a rare burst of sunshine – albeit those rays seem to be reserved only for the Grand Slam stage. Speaking of Serena, the chatter about Oudin has thrust Serena, the most consistent and proven American champion in recent years, into the shadows. Ha! Fo shame! Not the way to treat so great a champion now is it.

But I digress. The order for the day is the billing between Melanie Oudin and Caroline Wozniaki and inquiring minds want to know whether Oudin will continue her inspired run at the expense of the Danish teen into the US Open semis under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

In a word, No. Melanie Oudin has as much a shot to go to the semis as I have to win my amateur tennis tournament next week. I can almost hear the outcry against this. But hear me out. Seriously.

Against the power players, Oudin has been impressively successful. True she has a knack for blocking shots and absorbing pace and generally scampering about all over the court. Her defensive approach against the big swinging, big hitting, and ironically, all-Russian starlet cast that she faced, was a winning formula. That they rolled over, for different reasons, helped her huge as well. Don’t bother denying it.

In Caroline Wozniaki she will meet a different beastess. No more big serves to return; no more big forehands and backhands to block. Wozniaki is a smart player who has built her game up from a tactical core and complemented it with scintillating precision and shot placement. As such, Wozniacki will give American fans a different look at Oudin’s game and perhaps, not the one they might be hoping for.

Tennis Betting Line:

Melanie Oudin +4 -130 +190 21 O -130 U -110
Caroline Wozniacki -4 -110 -275 21 O -130 U -110

Match Time: 07:00 P.M. Eastern Time Wednesday September 9 2009

Tennis Betting Verdict : When Oudin ousted Jelena Jankovic in the third round of Wimbledon, who did she fall to in the next round I ask you? Agnieszka Radwanska, that’s who – a tactical player who has adopts a chess-like approach to the game. Oudin struggled to figure out Radwanska and her game and similarly, I expect she will have few answers against Wozniacki tonight. In my opinion, Wozniacki at -275 is the value play and the smart play to go to the semis. Further recommending Wozniacki is her recent run of form, her tour-leading match win mark and a recent win at New Haven.