The WTA Tour announced there annual award winners.

So which Melanie Oudin is it, the “fearless” youngster who made a run to the US Open quarterfinals, or the one who collapsed in a tight 6-0 third-set loss in the first round at Indian Wells?…

Quality falls off the table after Sharapova and Oudin — Barrois seeded? Ouch; (1) Sharapova opens against resurgent American Shenay Perry (who had to sit out Fed Cup last weekend with injury) and could face another American in the second round in Mattek-Sands

In the semis she will face a US Open rematch against Elena Demetieva, one of four Russians she beat at last year’s Open. On Friday Oudin outlasted Agnes Szavay 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, while Dementieva also endured a tough encounter against Andrea Petkovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

I’m asking who among the next generation of American players will take home a Grand Slam title.

In the semifinals the U.S. will host Russia in April after the Russians defeated Serbia 3-2. In the deciding doubles match Svetlana Kuznetsova and Alisa Kleybanova defeated Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-4 to advance.

Weak field for such a storied event; Oudin looking to keep the mojo alive after leading the U.S. to a first-round Fed Cup win; one Top 10-er in Dementieva; openers of interest include (7) Razzano vs. Schnyder, (6) Peer vs. Cornet; Dementieva lost to Amelie Mauresmo in last year’s final

he only thing that’s happened at these events is a bunch of qualifying matches have been played.

These are the people who made their first splash in the 2009 season, and we will almost certainly be seeing more of them in the future.

The 2009 Tennis-X.com Year-End Awards.

“It’s a very nice feeling. We worked hard to get to this point, finally we made it,” Pennetta said. “In the beginning of the week everyone expected so many things…now we are 3-0 and we can enjoy it.”

The power couple of former No. 1 Chris Evert and golf champ Greg Norman have a announced their separation.

“Are you scared? Because I said I would hit you? I’m sorry, but there’s a lot of people who’ve said way worse.” — Serena Williams to the US Open linesperson before being defaulted.

“She’s such a strong player. She doesn’t give you anything for free,” Oudin said. “She plays incredible defense. Makes me hit a thousand balls and really is a really great player. I mean, I don’t know what else I could have done. I could have been more consistent and been more patient, but she really made me think out there and made me have to hit a winner on her to win the point.”

Sean Randall gives his picks for the US Open matches on Wednesday.