Toss of a Coin: From nearly quitting tennis to greatest women's upset
NEW YORK -- Two weeks ago she was nearly overwhelmed by despair.
"I'm thinking," said Julie Coin, "am I really made to play tennis?"
The question has been answered in the most emphatic manner.
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| Julie Coin is playing in the main draw of a WTA tournament for the first time in her career. (AP) |
Coin defeated the world's No. 1 player and the tournament's No. 1 seed, Ana Ivanovic, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, in a U.S. Open second-round match.
Since women's rankings were established 33 years ago, a No. 1 never had been beaten by anyone as far down the list as Coin, who is 188th.
Indeed, Ivanovic had a thumb injury that kept her out of the Olympics and prevented her from hitting balls until 10 days ago, so you may attach an asterisk to the proceedings.
And it wouldn't mean a thing.
The Frenchwoman and Clemson University graduate, who never even had played in the main draw of any WTA tournament until now, did the virtually impossible. Or at least the notably improbable.
And you thought Appalachian State over Michigan was big stuff.
"I created opportunities," explained Ivanovic, "but I just couldn't use them. I never saw her play before. I didn't know what to expect. I thought I could get into the match, but I really struggled. And my serve wasn't working."
Ivanovic, French Open champion, eliminated in the second round by a nobody, ranked 188th. After being eliminated at Wimbledon in the third round by Zheng Jie, ranked 133rd.
"But I deserve the position," Ivanovic said of finding room at the top. "I won a Grand Slam, and I was playing really well. Obviously, if you asked me at the moment if I'm playing like a No. 1, probably not, but you can't judge too much on that because I haven't had a chance to practice."
