Dent provides inspiration at US Open

It didn't start as a scheduled night match. It just ended that way. American Taylor Dent outlasted Spain's Ivan Navarro, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(1), 5-7, 7-6(9). The fact that both players were out on the Grandstand court for over four hours is not the most amazing aspect of their match.

Not even close. The mere fact that Taylor Dent was even on a tennis court is.

During a span from May 2006 to September 2007, Dent underwent three surgeries on his ailing back. So much damage had been done from all the tennis Dent had played over the years. Broken vertebra on two sides of his lower back and exposed nerves required the three delicate procedures. If not, Dent was potentially looking at an extreme prognosis of life in a wheelchair. Dent was even told he wouldn't play tennis again. But the healing progressed and Dent was given a new lease on his once promising career.

He had already overcome so much, and on Friday night, Dent had to overcome a gutty opponent and a grueling match. Dent's victory delighted all in attendance. After his victory, Dent grasped the mic from the umpire's chair and proclaimed to those in attendance that they were "incredible". Then Dent proceeded to take a "victory lap" around the court.

Up next for Dent, #2 seed Andy Murray. You can bet the "home crowd" will be in his corner. This is Dent's first US Open since 2005. By the looks of it, it will not be his last.

You see, the New York crowd loves an underdog.