Must See TV

Besides running and triathlon, my favorite sport is actually tennis. I started playing tennis going into high school and that's when my serious love for it began. I watch it pretty much every time it is on TV and have even gone to a few tournaments including the Western and Southern Tournament in Cincinnati in 2007 and the US Open in 2005. This week, with the US Open going on, my TV has been on non-stop. And I have to tell you, it's been super-exciting. In general, I have been bored by tennis the last several years as I can't stand Roger Federer and think the Williams sisters are obnoxious. But this week with the emergence of Melanie Oudin has certainly brought a new level of excitement to tennis.

What you've never heard of Oudin? Neither has anyone else!

Melanie Oudin is a 17 year old from Marietta, Georgia who burst on the scene at Wimbledon by beating Jelena Jankovic, a recent former number 1. At the US Open, Oudin came in as the highest ranked American woman behind the Williams sisters at number 70. After this tournament she'll at least be in the top 50. She has beat 4 Russians to get into the women's quarterfinals including Pavlyuchenkova, Dementieva, Sharapova, and Petrova. The last three being ranked players. Dementieva was #4. The last three matches have gone to three sets as Oudin has lost the first set in each match.

This girl is amazing to watch. She's spirited, she has an amazing work ethic, and her game plan she follows to a "T". She plays again on Wednesday. Tune in if you get a chance.