US Open Tennis 2011: Can Donald Young Finally Fulfill the Hype? (Updated)

Growing up playing tennis, I have heard the name Donald Young for years.

Young was supposed to be the next best thing in American tennis. The young man from Atlanta had never really shown though that he could fulfill that hype. Never escaping the first round of any Grand Slam, Young may finally be coming to life on his home turf.

Not many would have picked Donald Young going into a match against the 14th ranked Swede Stanislas Wawrinka. After a little more then four hours though, Young prevailed.

Could this be the start of something big?

It really is hard to say. Young has yet to really prove anything, but perhaps he is finally coming into his own. It will have to be seen how he bounces off of this win, but it certainly leaves open the possibility for Donald Young to finally make strides to reach his expected potential.

Next up for Young is the 24 seed, Juan Ignacio Chela. The two have only previously met once, with Chela taking the first match. It is tough to guess which way this will really go, but Donald Young has some momentum going in.

If Young is able to get pass Chela, he potentially has a run in with Andy Murray the following round. This is a Grand Slam so Murray will be playing on a whole other level, but Young has notched a win on Murray this season. If Young can reach a match with Murray, that will be his true test on the big stage.

Keep a close eye on Donald Young because he is perhaps changing into a star right in front of our eyes.

Update: Donald Young has defeated Juan Ignacio Chela in straight sets, setting himself up for a potential match against Andy Murray or Feliciano Lopez in the Round of 16.