July 22, 2010

LEXINGTON, Ky.- In the second feature match of Wednesday’s festivities at the Fifth Third Bank Tennis Championships Kentucky’s own Megan Broderick and her partner, former Georgia Tech standout, Irina Falconi, won their first round match in thrilling fashion. The pair defeated second seeded Kimberly Couts and Tetiana Luzhanska in two sets and tie breaker, 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, (10-7).

A first set of numerous traded breaks was a strong win for Broderick and Falconi at 7-6 (7-5), but the two faltered in the second losing 2-6. They rallied in the tie breaker but were down an early 3-5. They stayed tough and netted themselves an even 5-5. Broderick closed terrific points to pull ahead 8-6. They only allowed one point more on their way to a 10-7 tie break and match win.

Broderick will be the sole Kentucky senior this upcoming year and hopes to lead her young team back to the success the program has enjoyed in the past.

Falconi, who spent the entire 2010 season as top-ranked collegiate player in the nation, recently announced that she will be foregoing her last two years of eligibility for the Yellow Jackets to pursue a career on the professional tennis circuit.

The duo will take on Jacqueline Cako and Story Tweedie-Yates this evening just before the feature matches at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center. Tweedie-Yates has won numerous doubles titles, most recently at the 2009 Osprey, Fla. tournament with Lindsey Lee-Waters.