Get to know CiCi Bellis, the 15-year-old American who just pulled off a U.S. Open stunner

By foxsports
Published

We love to get excited about young Americans doing well at the U.S. Open. Isn't that right, Melanie Oudin?

She's a home-schooled California girl

Born in San Francisco and now living in Atherton, her parents have home-schooled her since the fifth grade.

She's the youngest woman to win a U.S. Open match since 1996

The 15-year-old who won in 1996? Anna Kournikova. The last American 15-year-old to win a women's match at Flushing Meadows? Current ESPN commentator Mary Joe Fernandez. Not bad company to be in at all. Fernandez never won a Slam, but was a three-time runner-up and had several other close calls.

Her ranking going into the U.S. Open was 1,208

With only a few wins on the second-tier ITF circuit at such venerable pro tennis destinations as Orlando, Surprise, and Rancho Santa Fe, Bellis is a long way from on the radar in the WTA rankings. Though she is the No. 2-ranked junior.

She qualified for the U.S. Open by defeating a Tornado

Bellis was the 2014 USTA Girls' 18s National Champion, meaning she was given a Wild Card entry into the main draw. In the championship match, she beat a girl by the name of Tornado Ali Black. Seriously. Let it be known that we're also rooting for big things for Tornado.

She's not allowed to play tennis full-time yet

The WTA has rules saying you can't go pro until the age of 18. According to the rule book, a player is only allowed to compete in 10 professional tournaments between her 15th and 16th birthday. So don't get too used to her just yet.

She's on Twitter

So go follow her. We'll wait.

This happened three years ago

She pretty much literally played in the shadow of Arthur Ashe Stadium

Cool visual below of Court 6, where Bellis and Cibulkova played, showing its proximity to the massive main stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. A non-TV court, ESPN rushed a single camera over to capture the action as the match was winding down.

She handled herself very well after the match

There's a lot of class in this quote: "I went into the match thinking it was going to be such a great experience, but I never thought I would come out on top winning," Bellis said. "I'm still in shock about that match."