Today, Rafa Nadal and Fernando Gonzalez will pick up where they left off on Thursday night at 2:30 p.m. Nadal won the first set in a tiebreaker and the two are tied at 6-6 in the second. The match was postponed due to rain. Gonzalez is presenting a strong challenge to the third seed, who appears troubled by abdominal pain.

The winner will oppose Argentinean strong man Juan Martin Del Potro who survived a first set challenge from Marin Cilic before subduing the 16th seeded upstart. Displaying more athleticism and a high level of confidence, Del Potro looks like a favorite to reach the finals where he would meet either 4th seed Novak Djokovic or top seed Roger Federer. The Men’s semifinals are scheduled for Saturday with the final slated for Sunday afternoon.

Spectators are looking forward to today’s Women’s semifinals and especially the match between former number one Kim Clijsters and top seed Serena Williams. The winner will be a heavy favorite against the winner of the other semifinal, either relatively unknown Yanina Wickmayer or Dane Caroline Wozniacki.

Clijsters and Williams have been the best two participants in this year’s tournament. Williams has appeared virtually untouchable and with her strong serve and competitive temperament is favored to win another Grand Slam.

Clijsters possesses several surprising wins, including a fairly easy triumph over Venus Williams. The young mother seems surprised by her success but has the skills to battle the power-hitting Williams.

In the other semi-final, Melanie Oudin conqueror and another media sweetheart, Caroline Wozniacki, is heavily favored to oust the upstart Wickmayer. Flashing a brilliant smile, a spiffy wardrobe and consistent ground strokes, Wozniacki appears unflappable. Unfortunately she does not posses the serve or power needed to compete against either Clijsters or Williams in the Saturday finals.

As expected, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal appear to be on a Sunday afternoon collision course in the finals of the 2009 U.S. Open. But, hold it! Don’t forget that we picked impressive Juan Martin Del Potro to upset the apple cart and escape the U.S. with the Open Cup in his hands. And, you know what? We still like his chances.

On Tuesday, the possibility of a Del Potro-Nadal semi-final pairing took another exciting step forward. Rafa did his thing against impressive French fireballer Gael Monfils in an evening match that had enthralled spectators gasping for air. Nadal’s four set 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 triumph sported two of the fleetest players to grace the game.

In a display of pure athleticism, it would be hard to top this matchup. Rafa Nadal did not have time to show effects from his recent knee or abdominal issues. Monfils came out fast and asserted his will in the opening set. But, as usual, Nadal wears on opponents. He settled to the pace and gradually took charge of the match. The two showmen were most entertaining and provided a series of thrillingly deft shots.

Nadal will face Fernando Gonzalez who surprised the other great French player Jo Wilfried Tsonga with a stirring 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-4 victory. Gonzalez showed Tsonga no quarter and had answers for Tsonga’s power game. Solid groundstrokes paved the way for the upset. Gonzalez will square off with Nadal on Thursday but it seems unlikely, the Chilean can stay with the hard charging Spaniard.

Perhaps the most disappointing match of the day was a lackluster effort put forth by number two seed, Scotsman Andy Murray. Wearing his best “deer-in-the-headlights” blank look, Murray put on a Safina-like performance that should complete his over-ranked resume. In a pitiful semblance of the play that fans expect from a quality player, Murray’s tennis career seems headed in the wrong direction. Perhaps, a visit to the friendly sports shrink would help?

A triumphant 16th seed, Croatian Marin Cilic, seemed as bewildered as the crowd. He blew past the listless red-head in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in an embarrassing performance for which the U.S. Open should refund the admission price. At least Murray is done for this year. He needs a break and a new sense of commitment.

Tonight the top-seeded Federer will be center stage against a familiar opponent, Sweden’s Robin Soderling. Soderling will certainly give it his all, but Roger has the answers for Soderling’s big serve. Nonetheless, Soderling has had a strong year.

In the match of the day, Fernando Verdasco will be looking to upset 4th seed Novak Djokovic in a late afternoon pairing. Verdasco and Djokovic have both been on their games so fans expect a battle royal. After the Murray fiasco, a hotly contested match would be a welcome site.

As Nadal and Monfils played late in the night, the cameras shifted briefly to an outside court where a taped Melanie Oudin was practicing for her underdog performance against hot Dane Caroline Wozniacki. The young American has been on a constant media watch and fans wonder how she can maintain her focus.

After her triumph over Italian Flavia Pennetta, Serena Williams told interviewers she was caught up in the Melanie watch and would be cheering for the rising start this evening. Serena will go against Kim Clijsters tomorrow in a stern test against the woman who blasted her sister.

This time it only took two hours and thirty minutes. Thank God! This time it seemed impossible until it became inevitable. Of course, it was her fourth Russian opponent, another 5’11” 150 pound monster server, who has more aces than any other player in the U.S. Open, who succumbed to the Oudin magic. This time, it seemed even more unlikely than in the previous three matches.

First year professional and high school senior, Ms. Melanie Oudin did Marietta Georgia, the United States of America and the U.S. Open proud. Yes, she did! She again hoisted the dream-come-true all-American image on her very fleet feet and ran to the finish line, well ahead of the hare who sprinted to another early lead.

In extending her 2009 three set match record to a stunning 17-4, Melanie Oudin continues to teach us about valor, determination, dedication and the power of believing. When it comes to positive energy, there is no surpassing the diminutive underdog. And, the Flushing Meadows fans know it.

Make no mistake about it, these Russian heavyweights do not like it one little bit. They keep throwing all corners of gamesmanship at the young attention magnet. But, she resists. Line protest after line protest. Feigned injury timeout after feigned injury timeout and bathroom timeout after bathroom timeout, Melanie plays on. When it comes to deliberate play, the Russians extend the 20-second continuous play rule well beyond the limit. Heaven forbid someone did that to Nadia Petrova, or Elena Dementieva or Maria Sharapova. That would be bad. Against Melanie Oudin, it seems acceptable.

After all, today’s women professional tennis players are not supposed to have to hit 17, 18 and 20 shots per point. Please, give them a break!

Nadia Petrova has enormous physical stature and tennis potential. She always has. She was once ranked the third best professional on the tour. She is now number 13, apparently an unlucky number against a Georgia Peach! Nadia Petrova has won more than $7 million on tour. She is a power player with 27 aces in this event alone.

Just the same, she is on the sidelines, or packing for the long trip home. Like the other Russian hot shots before her, Petrova is probably wondering what the heck happened.

Nadia Petrova dominated little Melanie Oudin in the first set. Oudin broke in the first game and then lost her serve three times en route to a 1-6 drubbing. Melanie Oudin appeared outclassed and overpowered. The 23,000 fans at Flushing Meadows seemed stunned, on edge and expecting the worst.

Melanie Oudin appeared headed for the locker room with Nadia serving at 4-3, 40-15 of the second set. It seemed Petrova would finally take her rightful place in the quarterfinals and a bit of order would be restored to the women’s draw. Not so fast.

Oudin ran off five straight points to pull even at 4-4. Uh oh! Here she comes.

At 6-6, Petrova’s big serve gave her a clear edge in a tiebreaker. Or, so it seemed. Not so fast. Melanie rode her fleet feet and sprinted to a 4-0 advantage in the tiebreaker. Here she comes!

The big Russian won two and lost two to arrive at 2-6. One good forehand and the set was over. Who ever thought Melanie Oudin could win that second set? Answer, Nadia Petrova. She had seen this before.

Hold it, not so fast. When the Russians are pressured, they do stuff. Time for a bathroom-pull-yourself together timeout. What is it about the Russians and their bladder, shoulder, leg cramps and slow play issues? Their men do not have these problems. Hey Nadia, while you are in there, see if you can find your pal, Dinara Safina! She will be the other six-footer using a towel to dry her eyes.

Anyway, Melanie broke and held immediately. But she stumbled on serve as Petrova followed a break back with a hold. Petrova had a stern talk with herself. She would now launch an all out offensive. But, to do that, you need legs. You need stamina and you need a very big heart. Suddenly, the legs were heavy. Two hours and thirty minutes of huffing, puffing and stretching against a little dynamo who just wants to play a doubleheader. I mean, really kid. Grow up! Or, don’t.

At 2-2, it became apparent that the longer the points were, the better Oudin’s chances. Inevitably, Petrova would get lazy, and return a ball without purpose. Boom! Point over as another piercing shot passed her lead feet by. Like Sharapova before her, Nadia stopped trying to chase down those winners. She looked flat-footed.

That is just what the counter-puncher wants. Flat feet mean fatigue, mentally and physically. Emotionally the score was 22,998 to 2, Petrova and her coach. When the chips are down, that’s a load.

Ms. Melanie Oudin lost her serve at 5-2 but then, like the lioness that she is, she bullied her way to 0-40 and the handwriting was on the wall. One good backhand drive and it was match over, baby.

Now, what was that Rocky movie where there was an unbeatable Russian boxing zombie? Petrova had that look.

Melanie, a bigger test awaits. And, for sure you will lose the first set, be behind in the second set before rallying. To be honest, I am not sure my heart can take much more. But, don’t change a thing… ever. Women’s tennis fans will thank you for years to come. Sleep tight Munchkin! You deserve it.

At first, it looked like Melanie Oudin was overmatched against 6’2” Russian glamour girl Maria Sharapova. The long Russian blonde broke in the first game, held easily in the second and cruised to a relatively easy 6-3 first set win.

Things changed quickly. As she did against the 5’11” 4th seeded Russian, Elena Dementieva, Melanie went into retriever supreme mode. Every ball started coming back. And, like Elena, Maria did not like it. She was forced to hit two and three extra balls per point. She was tiring. Her troubling ball toss and serve became even more laborious. Meanwhile, the fireplug from Marietta Georgia kept plugging away.

One television analyst said, “Melanie Oudin is not afraid to win.” She was right. The little engine that could was just warming to the occasion. Once Oudin understood the pace, understood that Sharapova did not want to play long points and was becoming heavy-footed, the match settled into never-never land, right where Melanie is most comfortable.

McEnroe quipped, “Oudin may not have the offensive weapons, but she has better defensive skills than most of the tour players.” Johnny Mac knows how to size up tennis players and he got that one right.

Melanie Oudin does not possess the Sharapova-Dementieva driving power shots but she moves well, crushes short balls and hits sharp down the line winners. She goes for every ball and never stands still.

Maria Sharapova showed class and courage. She could not overcome 21 double faults or 63 unforced errors. The fact of the matter is that Maria Sharapova is not in shape to play against Melanie Oudin. The fact is that very few of today’s tour players are. Maria had 63 unforced errors because she wanted shorter points. She did not feel like hitting against a backboard for another five minutes much less half an hour. The women’s tour players do not signup for three plus hour marathons.

But, for 17-year old players who hit the ball 12 hours a day as a seven year old, it was just another day on the court, doing what you love to do. Hey, Mickey D’s anyone?

As a youngster Melanie Oudin hit so many tennis balls against the garage door that the neighbors had to call her parents to ask her to stop. Jeez, it was only 10:00 p.m. and the floodlights were still working.

When Jalena Jankovic was asked about Oudin after falling to the 5’6” teenager at Wimbledon, Jankovic replied that Oudin had no weapons that could hurt you. That may be true, but Elena, Jalena and Maria are all on the sidelines with their stars dimming and one little 17-year old’s star is rising fast.

The fans at Arthur Ashe stadium were dazzled by Oudin. Sharapova has a big New York following. She looks like a New York kinda gal, but as the match elapsed, the Center Court fans rallied for Melanie. Fans were dancing in the aisles, shaking their heads in collective disbelief. This was the USA over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympic hockey game. This was the kid against the consummate professional.

At 4-4, 30-30 in the third set, both players had won 103 points. Believe Melanie, believe! She did. This little woman wants to be in the moment. Melanie Oudin is not afraid to win.

After players traded breaks, Oudin broke yet again, her eighth of the match to go up 6-5. She lost the first point. Not again! Then she rattled off three straight forehand winners. Uh Oh! Sharapova was against the wall. One more deep forehand down the line and it was match over. Melanie Oudin wins another three set match against a top opponent.

In 20 three set matches this year, Ms Oudin has won 16 times. Think about that. Think about being a 17-year old upstart and knocking off the 5th best player in the world at Wimbledon, the 4th best player in the world at the U.S. Open and a three time Grand Slam Champion at the same event. Hey, pack your bags and go home. What more do you need?

Melanie, you will not be on those silly backcourts anymore. You are the breath of fresh air that Women’s Tennis desperately needs. No matter what else happens, you have outshined all the others. You have captured our imaginations and our hearts and you have run with the ball.

The 2009 U.S Open belongs to you, Melanie. Nice going. We’ll talk about the three other Russians lying in wait for you at a later time. For tonight, take in a flick, maybe Rocky, rest that sore leg and think about… hitting those balls against the garage door. Sleep tight Munchkin!

Melanie Oudin! Georgia peach! 5’ 6” might be stretching it. She’s is short, she is square, she is cute as a button and packed with energy. On Thursday before a filled Arthur Ashe Stadium, little Melanie Oudin hoisted the youth of American tennis on her capable shoulders and a mesmerized nation across the finish line… in style.

There was no way Melanie Oudin could compete with the hottest player on the women’s professional tennis tour. No way! The problem is noone told the determined Georgia Peach that she could not beat 4th seeded 5’11” Russian glamour girl Elena Dementieva. So, just as she has done all her life, she put on her little tennis outfit, strapped up her right leg brace and carried her game and big heart onto Center Court.

As expected, Elena came out smoking and broke Melanie’s serve right out of the gate. Elena held to go up 2-0 and the crowd sensed it would be a quick out for the young blonde. But, suddenly balls that should have been outright winners were coming back. Dementieva was forced to hit two and three and sometimes even four more shots than expected. It was aggravating, really.

Elena was not used to this. Oudin became a human backboard. Everything was retrievable. Drop shots, down the line stunners, cross-court drives and quality serves that should have been aces all kept coming back. This just does not happen to players of Elena’s stature. Elena Dementieva knows when she has struck a winner. But, all bets were off as the frisky upstart simply chased down every ball.

Not only was she retrieving everything, Melanie was showing a deft touch and holding her court position. She never backed off the baseline. She was making impossible half court volleys and converting Dementieva drop shots to power drives past her outstretched opponent. Melanie Oudin rose to the occasion, seized the moment and captured the imagination of millions of tennis fans around the world.

The stunning win brought back memories of the 1980 U.S. men’s hockey team’s unbelievable win over the Soviet Union. Such was the depth of this upset. Hey, Melanie Oudin is a high school senior. Elena Dementieva has been playing professional tennis since 1999 when Melanie was 7 years old!

Many tennis experts, including myself, picked the much-improved Russian to upset Serena Williams and win the tournament. Now, those same experts are wondering if New Jersey native, 20 year old Christina McHale, could ever knock of the other 5’11” Russian superstar, Maria Sharapova.

About halfway through the second set, Oudin began to take the play to Elena. Melanie kept forcing the action, pressing shots. She committed 44 unforced errors but hit a whopping 30 outright winners. The unseeded American won 104 points to Dementieva’s 100.

After dropping the first set 5-7, Oudin took charge with two breaks in set two and held on for a 6-4 win. In the third set, she broke Dementieva out of the starting blocks and never looked back winning 6-3.

Other players on the verge of an upset have shown nerves. Even Dementieva who had Serena on the ropes at Wimbledon, cracked under the pressure. Oudin showed no fear. She never hesitated. She looked victory in the eye and kept going for it until she had it.

If there was ever any doubt that Melanie Oudin was a fierce competitor, forget it. Ms. Oudin has the calm determination of an experienced gunfighter. If you have any doubts, ask the number four seed, who will be watching the rest of the U.S. Open on a television set.

Way to go, Melanie Oudin! Rest up. They will be gunning for you now, kiddo.