May 27, 2010
Photo Gallery | Falconi, Krupina Fall in Doubles Championship
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech sophomore Irina Falconi, the top seed in the NCAA Singles Tournament, registered her 22nd straight victory with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Samantha Murray of Northwestern Thursday in the second round at the University of Georgia’s Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
“I had another slow start today and got down in my match early,” Falconi said. “I had to get my feet moving and get more aggressive to get in a good rhythm in the match. In the second set, I finally got in a good rhythm and I won five straight games which was a great way to end the match. For tomorrow’s match I have to make sure that I work into the match and find a good balance of fire and focus.”
Falconi opened the day by taking the first game but then proceeded to quickly fall behind Murray, 3-1. The Yellow Jacket All-American stormed back to take the next five games and win the first set, 6-3.
Once again Murray jumped out in front of Falconi by taking a 4-1 lead in the second set. Murray put a few serves into the net and Falconi took advantage by breaking the Wildcat to cut the score to 4-2. Falconi would get going and win the final five games of the set to close out Murray and move in the tournament.
“Today’s match was a good test for Irina,’ head coach Bryan Shelton said. “I was happy to see how she responded with her back against the wall. Behind 4-1 n the second set, I thought she would play her best tennis and that is exactly what she did.”
Falconi , who moved to 39-2 in singles this season, will be meet either Washington’s Venise Chan or Alison Ramos of USC Friday in the Round of 16.
Thursday is not finished for Falconi, who will team with Sasha Krupina later this evening for the first round of the NCAA Doubles Championship. The Jackets duo will meet Hilary Barte and Lindsay Burdette of NCAA team champion Stanford. The Cardinal duo is the second seed overall in doubles.
For more tournament information, click here.
-RamblinWreck.com-
