Aug. 31, 2011
Former Georgia Tech All-American Irina Falconi is set to make her second appearance in the U.S. Open, professional tennis’ final Grand Slam event, beginning Monday, Aug. 29., at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow, N.Y.
Since turning pro in July 2010, Falconi has played in all five Grand Slam events, beginning with the 2010 U.S. Open. Falconi will face the the Czech Republic’s Klara Zakopalova, ranked No. 44 in the world, in the first round. Falconi enters the tournament as the No. 79 player in the world rankings.
UPDATE: Falconi rallied from a 6-3 first set loss to defeat Zakopalova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, to claim her first Grand Slam main draw match win. Falconi will now face the 14th seeded Dominika Cibulkova from Slovakia in the second round in the third match on court 11. The women’s second round will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 31.
UPDATE (8/31): Falconi dropped her first set 2-6 to world No. 15 Dominika Cibulkova in the second round. Falconi answered with a strong 6-3 win in the second set to force a decisive third set. After falling behind 4-1 in the third set, Falconi broke Cibulkova in three games down the stretch to take a 6-5 lead. Serving for the win, Falconi quickly raced out to a 40-0 lead after working Cibulkova side to side and hitting a forehand winner. After losing the next point, Falconi hit another forehand crosscourt winner from nearly wide of the doubles line.
Falconi will now face world No. 18 and 22nd seeded Sabine Lisicki in the third round. Lisicki advanced after Venus Williams withdrew from the tournament. The women’s third round is scheduled to begin during Friday’s day session.
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 —
