July 6, 2009

BOSTON, Mass. - Playing in her third United States Tennis Association Pro Circuit tournament of the summer, University of Tennessee rising senior Caitlin Whoriskey reached the semifinals of the doubles draw before falling to the eventual champions at the Empire Loan $50,0000 event in Boston. The Lady Volunteer All-American previously reached the doubles semifinal in Brownsville, Texas, and the doubles final in Hilton Head, S.C., last month.

Although she was unable to advance out of the qualifying singles draw, Whoriskey more than made up for it in the doubles portion of the competition as she paired up with Arizona State junior Kelcy McKenna to march through a pair of opponents to the semifinal round. Whoriskey and McKenna opened the tournament with a decisive, 6-4, 6-2, triumph over the duo of Sacha Jones from New Zealand and Canadian Rebecca Marino, ranked 877th in the world by the International Tennis Federation.

Whoriskey and McKenna followed up that impressive performance with another, downing the 822nd-rated pairing of Kimberly Couts and Canadian Valerie Tetreault, 6-3, 6-1, in the quarterfinals. Their run would end in the semifinals, however, where eventual tournament champions, Maria-Fernanda Alves from Brazil and Florida native Ahsha Rolle picked up a come-from-behind, 4-6, 6-3 (10-5), win.

Prior to the doubles competition, Whoriskey also attempted to qualify for the main singles draw. She was unable to do so, however, falling to Vanderbilt recruit Alison Riske, 6-1, 6-1, in the second round after winning her first contest by retirement, 6-2, 3-0, over Chihiro Takayama from Japan.

Whoriskey will take a break from playing professional events this week, as she will travel to Atlanta, Ga., to take part in a USTA Pro Tour Transition camp, July 6-9. She was invited to the camp as one of 12 players who were selected to the USTA Summer Collegiate Team on June 12.

MAIN DOUBLES DRAW
First Round
Caitlin Whoriskey/Kelcy McKenna (USA) def. Sacha Jones (NZL)/Rebecca Marino (CAN) - 6-4, 6-2

Quarterfinals
Caitlin Whoriskey/Kelcy McKenna (USA) def. Kimberly Couts (USA)/Valerie Tetreault (CAN) - 6-3, 6-1

Semifinals
Maria-Fernanda Alves (BRA)/Ahsha Rolle (USA) def. Caitlin Whoriskey/Kelcy McKenna (USA) - 4-6, 6-3 (10-5)

QUALIFYING SINGLES DRAW
First Round
Caitlin Whoriskey (USA) def. Chihiro Takayama (JPN) - 6-2, 3-0 (ret.)

Second Round
Alison Riske (USA) def. Caitlin Whoriskey (USA) - 6-1, 6-1