FALCONI UPSETS NO. 1 SEED & BLOGS FROM PRAGUE

American Irina Falconi pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year in taking out No. 1 seed and World No. 23 Klara Zakapolova in front of a partisan Czech crowd in Prague.  Falconi stormed back after losing the first set to take the match 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.  Falconi backed up the first round shocker by continuing to advance in the draw, winning her next two matches to reach the semi-finals (as of this release).

Falconi is blogging about her experiences in Prague and throughout the European clay court swing as she prepares to qualify for the French Open.  Her blog can be found on Tennis Grandstand by clicking on this link: http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/2013/05/17/quest-to-qualify-with-irina-falconi-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-tennis-pro/

SANCHEZ AND FALCONI FEATURED IN NY TIMES

Agent Atleta clients Maria Sanchez and Irina Falconi are singled out for their professional successes as former college players: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/sports/tennis/few-former-college-tennis-players-excel-on-wta-tour.html?_r=0 

SANCHEZ FEATURED AS TOP MOVER IN 2012

http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/2012/12/10/maria-sanchez-americas-next-top-tennis-mover/

SANCHEZ BIGGEST MOVER INSIDE TOP 150

First year pro Maria Sanchez was the biggest mover inside the top 150 on the WTA Tour in 2012.  The former USC All-American finished her season ranked No. 127 in the world after beginning the year ranked No. 687, a jump of 560 spots.  Along the way, Sanchez captured two USTA Pro Circuit titles at the $50,000 and $75,000 levels, while reaching the final of another $75,000 event.     

Sanchez, who trains at the Evert Academy in Boca Raton, Florida, was recently rewarded with an invitation to the USTA Australian Open Wild Card Playoff in Atlanta, Georgia, December 14-16.  The winner of the eight-player field will walk away with the USTA's coveted reciprocal wild card into the main draw of the Australian Open in January.          

SANCHEZ REACHES ANOTHER FINAL AT $75,000 ITF

Maria Sanchez closed out her stellar rookie season on tour in strong fashion by reaching the final of the USTA Pro Circuit $75,000 Goldwater Women's Classic in Phoenix.  En route to the final, Sanchez defeated Wimbledon Junior Champion Eugenie Bouchard, and U.S. Open Junior Champion Samantha Crawford before taking out No. 1 seed and top 80 player Camila Giorgi in the semi-finals.  Sanchez finally succumbed to fellow American Madison Keys in the singles final, 6-3, 7-6.