Coin Knocks Off World #1, Makes History At US Open

Aug. 29, 2008

FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – Julie Coin, a standout on the Clemson women’s tennis team from 2003-05, eliminated top-seeded Ana Ivanovic at the 2008 US Open on Thursday afternoon. Coin, ranked #188 and playing in her first career Grand Slam, stunned the tennis world with her second-round upset at Arthur Ashe Stadium, making history in the process.

Never before in the Open era that began in 1968 had the No. 1 woman lost this early in the tournament. For more information on the tournament visit www.usopen.org.

Ivanovic held serve in the first game of the match, but Coin went on to claim the set by a 6-3 margin. The Serbian player rebounded to win the second, 6-4. Ivanovic appeared to be regaining form in the third set and had three break points that could have given her the 3-2 edge. However, Coin battled back to win the game and took a 4-2 lead in set after breaking Ivanovic’s serve. Up 5-3, Coin won on her third match point, acing Ivanovic to seal the victory.

Coin will now face fellow Frenchwoman and #32-seeded Amelie Mauresmo in the third round. Her win over 40th-ranked Casey Dellacqua in the first round of the tournament was her first over a top-100 opponent.

The former Tiger player advanced to the main draw of the Open through the qualifying rounds and is playing in her first Sony Ericson Tour main draw event.

Coin led Clemson to back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances in 2004 and 2005 and reached the semifinals of the NCAA Singles Championships in 2004. She was ranked as high as #2 in the ITA Tennis poll during the 2005 season and earned All-America status three times over her career. The native of Amiens, France also helped the Tigers claim the 2004 ACC Championship and was named the conference Player-of-the-Year that season.