Oct. 28, 2009
BAYAMON, Puerto Rico – Georgia Tech sophomore Irina Falconi defeated former University of Southern California standout Amanda Fink Wednesday to advance to the second round of the Puerto Rico 25K Women’s Challenger.
Falconi, who has won 11 straight USTA Pro Circuit matches and 14 of her 16 matches in professional tournaments this year, came from behind to defeat Fink, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. After the second set, the match was delayed for an hour and a half due to rain.
Falconi and Fink were teammates over the summer as members of the United State Tennis Association Summer Collegiate Team.
“It is always interesting playing someone you know,” Falconi said. “I knew she would be a tough opponent. She got through the qualifying round and has been in match-mode the last few days. It was a matter of me getting out of the gates quickly. I had to keep my feet moving and hit through my shots to get a good rhythm. In the second set, I got it together and was able to tactically get it going and change my game plan.
“After the second set, we had an hour and a half rain delay. I really needed to focus on what I wanted to do in the third set. I came out with good intensity from the very first point and I felt like I executed in the key moments.”
Falconi will next face American Alison Riske, the tournament’s seventh seed, Thursday in the second round. Earlier this year, Falconi defeated Riske at the Atlanta Pro Circuit event on her way to the singles title.
– RamblinWreck.com –
