Irina SPIRLEA
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Irina SPIRLEA |
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Irina Spirlea has often been overshadowed as a top player. This has influenced her chances of winning the slams. The younger players, particularly, Kournikova and Williams have dominated the spot light. At the US Open, Irina was determined to beat them, as she did against Kournikova. She did not like Venus' attitude and ego, so she wanted to see if she would move at the change overs. They 'bumped' as Venus kept walking. Irina was very disappointed with the loss as she was in great form.
Irina was defaulted in the 1996 Palmero tournament for using abusive language directed at an official. Irina could develop her bad girl status. She should punch a few spectators or swear at her opponents to get more attention given to her.
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Irina Spirlea |
Right handed |
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Country |
Romania |
Marital Status |
Single |
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Height |
175cm |
Weight |
68kg |
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Birthday |
26/3/1974 |
Age |
She is currently 24 |
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Best surface |
Hard Court |
Best shot |
Forehand |
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Standard Rank |
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Favourite Rank |
17 |
Irina Spirlea has a strong game as it is similar to Graf. Irina also has a powerful forehand and serve, and generally slices the backhand. Irina often uses the drop shot and it can be the best shot or worst shot for her. She has the power to beat any player, which was evident in her wins over Seles. However, she is very inconsistent, as she has losses in the opening rounds in several tournaments
Spirlea has made a poor start to the year losing her first 3 matches at the Hopman Cup, Sydney and the Australian Open. In the latter, she lost to Serena Williams, little sister of Venus, 6-7 6-3 6-1. In 3rd set tiebreaks, Spirlea defeated Davenport and Seles in the quarter and semi finals of Hilton Head. It was the first win over Davenport, her third over Seles. She lost to Coetzer in the final. Spirlea held her seeding at Wimbledon and the US Open, where she fell to Novotna in the round of 16 on both occasions. Spirlea did upset Serena Williams in 3 sets at the Open. She lost in the opening round of the French Open.
Spirlea made head way at the US Open defeating Kournikova and top tenners Coetzer (5) 7-6 6-4 and Seles(2) 6-7 7-6 6-3 to reach the Semi Finals. In her loss, she purposely bumped into her opponent Williams. She is clearly a better player, because she thrashed Williams at the end of the year. Spirlea beat Fernandez for the fourth time to reach the semi finals in New York. She beat Sanchez Vicario to reach the final of Indian Wells. Spirlea made the Quarter finals of the Australian Open. She also reached the round of 16 the French Open and Wimbledon loosing 3 set matches to Graf and Majoli. The year was her best ever, finishing ranked 8.
Spirlea beat Schultz McCarthy (8) at the French Open to reach the round of 16. She also beats Sanchez Vicario and Pierce on clay to win the title at Ameila Island. She reached the quarterfinals of the German Open and Italian Opens. She lost in the third round at the US Open to Coetzer 7-6 7-5, after trailing 5-1 in the 2nd set. She fell in the opening round of the Australian Open and second round at Wimbledon.
At the Australian Open Spirlea beats 16 Harlard to reach the round of 16. Martinez leads 6-2 5-2 before Spirlea takes the match to 3 sets. She fell in the third round at the French and US Opens. She lost in the second round at Wimbledon.
Spirlea beats Sabatini at the Italian Open to reach the semi finals and defeats Fernandez at the French Open to reach the round of 16. Graf realises that Spirlea's game is similar to her own and beats her 6-0 6-1. Spirlea beats 14 seed, Frazier, at Wimbledon to reach the third round, where she has to pull out due to injury.
Irina's GRAND SLAM Record
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Grand Slam |
94 |
95 |
96 |
97 |
98 |
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Australian |
1 |
4 |
1 |
Q |
1 |
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French |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
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Wimbledon |
3 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
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US Open |
3 |
3 |
3 |
S |
4 |
M
= Missed slams
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Irina SPIRLEA |
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