Blog

FALCONI UPSETS NO. 1 SEED & BLOGS FROM PRAGUE

Jordan Butler — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:29:16 +0000

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

Jordan Butler — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:02:06 +0000

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

Jordan Butler — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:05:58 +0000

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

SANCHEZ BIGGEST MOVER INSIDE TOP 150

Jordan Butler — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 01:16:19 +0000

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

Jordan Butler — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 04:08:13 +0000

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.

SANCHEZ CAPTURES $75,000 ITF SINGLES TITLE

Jordan Butler — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:00:16 +0000

Rookie pro Maria Sanchez continued her stellar season in 2012 by capturing the singles championship at the Coleman Vision $75,000 USTA Pro Circuit Event in Albuquerque, New Mexico last weekend. Sanchez battled through some tough early rounds before turning up her game in the latter stages of the tournament, as evidenced by the 6-1, 6-1 win in the final over Lauren Davis.

Sanchez catapulted to No. 149 in the world off the strength of the win. The former USC star has now ascended over 530 positions in the world rankings since January.

Sanchez and doubles partner Irina Falconi also reached the doubles final at the Coleman Vision, pushing Sanchez to the brink of a top 100 doubles ranking.

COHEN FORCES NO. 1 SEED INTO SUBMISSION IN BAKU

Jordan Butler — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 17:58:25 +0000

http://www.wtatennis.com/news/20120724/seeds-continue-to-fall-in-baku_2256076_2859376

FALCONI BLOGS FOR WORLD TEAM TENNIS

Jordan Butler — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 21:40:33 +0000

http://video.wtt.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=26900

SANCHEZ FEATURED ON ESPN DEPORTES

Jordan Butler — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:36:18 +0000

ESPN Deportes recently chronicled Maria Sanchez's rapid ascent in the world rankings and her quest to compete at the 2012 U.S. Open. The interview and shoot took place in Los Angeles where Maria was training at her old USC stomping grounds while on break from tournament play:

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/broadband/video/clipDeportes?id=1544379&categoryid=834453&cc=3888

Falconi Signs With ASICS

Jordan Butler — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 06:55:02 +0000

ASICS SIGNS FORMER GEORGIA TECH STAR IRINA FALCONI

Irvine, CA (May 14, 2012) – Global sports brand ASICS has announced the signing of professional tennis player Irina Falconi to its burgeoning tennis division. The deal will make ASICS the exclusive, worldwide apparel and footwear partner of the 22-year old American through 2013.

In her first full season on tour in 2011, Falconi attained a career high of No. 73 in the world and reached the third round of the U.S. Open. In addition to upsetting No. 14th seeded Dominika Cibulkova in the second round, the result was notable because Falconi was raised in Manhattan and learned to play tennis on municipal New York City courts.

Falconi turned professional following her sophomore season at Georgia Tech, where was the national collegiate player of the year.

Falconi, who trains and resides in Atlanta, GA, was born in Ecuador and speaks fluent Spanish. She is currently the highest ranked South-American born player in the world.

Away from the court, Falconi is renowned for her colorful player blogs. She is currently a resident blogger on www.wta.com.

Fans and media can also follow Falconi on Twitter at @irinafalconi.