Aug. 22, 2009
ATLANTA – Georgia Tech sophomore Irina Falconi has earned a wild card from the United States Tennis Association and will begin play Tuesday against Lauren Embree at 11 a.m., in the women’s qualifying singles draw at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
“I have dreamed of playing in the U.S. Open since I was a little girl,” Falconi said. “It is an unbelievable feeling knowing that I am going to be competing and will be surrounded by some of the world’s top players.”
Falconi, one of only two college players playing in the final Grand Slam of the season, must win three matches to qualify for the main draw. The qualifying draw consists of 128 women competing for the final 16 spots into the U.S. Open singles draw.
“I know Irina will represent Georgia Tech very well,” head coach Bryan Shelton said. “I could not be happier for her to receive a wild card into the Open.”
Falconi joins Amanda McDowell (2008) and Kristi Miller (2005) as the only Yellow Jackets to participate in the U.S. Open.
Earlier this summer, Falconi earned a pair of USTA Pro Circuit singles titles in Atlanta, Ga., and in St. Joseph, Mo. She also earned the doubles title at Heartland Clinic USTA Women’s Classic at the Noyes Tennis Center in St. Joseph.
Draws for the tournament are available on the U.S. Open website.
– RamblinWreck.com –
