Kristina Brandi

Kristina Brandi
Country (sports)  Puerto Rico
Born (1977-03-29) March 29, 1977
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Plays Right-handed
Prize money $ 1,248,528
Singles
Career record 441–333
Career titles 1
Highest ranking No. 27 (4 December 2000)
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian Open 4R (2000)
French Open 2R (2000, 2005)
Wimbledon 4R (2000)
US Open 2R (1996, 2000, 2004)
Doubles
Career record 48–86
Career titles 0
Highest ranking No. 246 (June 19, 1995)
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian Open 2R (2006)
French Open 1R (2005)
Wimbledon 1R (2005)
US Open 1R (1999, 2005)

Kristina Brandi (born March 29, 1977) is a Puerto Rican tennis player. She was the first tennis player representing Puerto Rico to win a singles match in an Olympic tennis match.

Early years

Brandi was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she became interested in the sport of tennis at an early age. She made her professional debut in 1995 when she was 17 years old.[1] Her father is Joe Brandi, who coached Pete Sampras.

USTA Circuit

In 2003, Brandi won the most titles of any woman on the "USTA Circuit". She took home trophies from six events. Brandi was a member of the 2003 Puerto Rican Fed Cup Team where she captured the singles championship at the $75,000 event in Albuquerque, New Mexico plus, the $50,000 event in Troy, Alabama and $25,000 in Peachtree City, Georgia.[2]

2004 Olympics

Brandi represented Puerto Rico in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. She became the first tennis player representing Puerto Rico to win a singles match in an Olympic when she beat Jelena Kostanić from Croatia (7–5 and 6–1). She lost in the second round to Russian Anastasia Myskina.[3]

Some of Brandi's career highlights are: High rank for singles 27 on January 1, 2001; High rank for doubles on June 19, 1995; Career titles for singles: 1; Career matches won: 79; Career matches lost: 99; Career prize money $845, 170.[2]

Later years

Kristina Brandi resides in Tampa, Florida and continued to be active in the WTA tours for many years after the 2004 Olympic Games.

Brandi defended her ITF-Surbiton title defeating Laura Granville from the USA. Brandi's grass season plans for 2006 included the Main Draw of the Birmingham Tournament at the WTA Tour level as well as the qualifying tournament at Eastbourne before heading to compete in the Wimbledon main draw.

Brandi, who has since retired, is the niece of Andy Brandi who played for the Trinity Tigers men's tennis team in NCAA Division I competition.[4]

Titles (1)

No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score
1. June 20, 1999 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands Grass Croatia Silvija Talaja 6–0, 3–6, 6–1

See also

References

  1. Tennis
  2. 1 2 Sports Illustrated
  3. Olympic results
  4. Paul Jenkins, "Gators hire new women's tennis coach," The Gainesville Sun, pp. 1D & 4D (August 22, 1984). Retrieved June 16, 2011.
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