It's a wonderful life for Beatrice Capra
OK, Beatrice Capra is not related to the famous director Frank Capra, but I couldn't resist the headline. And you got to admit it has been a pretty wonderful for the 18-year-old from Maryland in Flushing.
Capra has become the Melanie Oudin of 2010, coming out of nowhere to advance to the third round. Oudin was 17 last year when she beat four straight higher-ranked opponents to get to the semifinals. And Capra admit that she watched every minute of Oudin's run last year.
"I looked up to Melanie last year," Capra said. "I watched all of her matches and was so happy for her. It was really inspiring to me because I played her a year before and then she was getting to the quarters of a Grand Slam. I think she's pushed all of the Americans to do better."
Capra, who is ranked 371st in the world, had to earn her wild card spot here by winning a playoff. Capra will need a Capraesque miracle to advance beyond the fourth round as her next opponent is 14th-seeded Maria Sharapova
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