Oct. 21, 2011
Guadalajara, México – Former Georgia Tech All-American and 2010 Campbell/ITA National Player of the Year Irina Falconi claimed the gold medal in the 2011 Pan American Games singles draw with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig on Friday at the Telcel Tennis Complex in Guadalajara, México.
Falconi did not lose a set in her six matches to claim the gold medal.
Falconi teamed with fellow rising American star Christina McHale as the No. 2 seed in the doubles main draw at the Pan Am Games and advanced all the way to Friday’s finals, before falling, 6-4, 2-6, 10-6, to the No. 1 seed team of Maria Irigoyen and Florencia Molinero from Argentina.
Falconi, who turned pro in July 2010, continues to skyrocket up the world tennis rankings, having climbed to No. 77 in the October 17 WTA Singles Rankings.
A two-time All-American during her two years on The Flats, Falconi has qualified for all five Grand Slam events since turning pro. She recorded her best outing in a Grand Slam event at this year’s U.S. Open where she advanced to the third round, including a dramatic come-from-behind win over 14th seeded Dominika Cibulkova, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Fans are encouraged to follow Georgia Tech women’s tennis on Twitter, @GT_WTEN, and like the Yellow Jackets on Facebook, GTWomensTennis, for an inside look at the program.
— RamblinWreck.com —
