RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — LSU women’s tennis star Megan Falcon lost a hard-fought match, 7-6 (2), 6-4, to seventh-seeded Betina Jozami in the first round of the singles portion of the Pan American Games Wednesday.
Falcon competed well against Jozami, who is ranked No. 212 in the latest WTA world rankings, but came up short playing on red clay for the first time this year.
“Megan lost a tough match. It could have gone either way, but she showed her ability to compete. Hopefully she can use this as a learning experience for the future,” LSU head coach Tony Minnis said.
Falcon’s time at the Pan Am Games is not over as she will team up with Audra Cohen, the 2007 NCAA Singles Champion, in doubles competition. Falcon and Cohen will take on Erika Clarke and Melissa Torres Sandoval from Mexico in the round of 16 on Thursday at noon CT.
Pan American Games
Singles Round of 32
(7) Betina Jozami (Argentina) def. Megan Falcon (USA), 7-6 (2), 6-4
Doubles Round of 16
Megan Falcon/Audra Cohen (USA) vs. Erika Clarke/Melissa Torres Sandoval (Mexico), noon Thursday