Having turned professional just 16 months ago, 17-year-old Melanie Oudin has advanced to the fourth round of Wimbeldon after defeating world #6 seed Jelena Jankovic in three sets.
Though she was pretty dominant in juniors – at one point she won 27 matches in a row – she has only advanced past the first round of a tournament once since turning pro.
She’s been the surprise of Wimbeldon – to everyone including herself. Turns out she and her coach had already purchased plane tickets home, apparently assuming she wouldn’t make it very far. But she joins Venus and Serena as the only Americans to advance to the fourth round.
From what I’ve read, American tennis fans are looking to her to be the next big American hope. It’s been 12 years since the Williams sisters came on to the scene and everyone has been looking for the next American sensation.
It’s the “big” part of that equation that are leaving people wondering if Oudin can be the new American tennis star. She’s just 5’6″ in a world of Amazonian women – Serena is 5’10” and Venus is 6’1″.
I don’t know enough about tennis to tell you any more than that, but I’m always all about a girl kicking butt.
Ladies... 
At 5’2″ I know how is it to be a small chick. My little sister is 5’10 and one of my older sisters is 5’11. Justine Henin is only 5’5″ and she was one of the best. I’m glad they are proof that you don’t a have to an Amazon to win in tennis.
Huzzah to being 5’2″. Seriously, 5’6″ is amazonian to us. I would kill to be 5’6″.