Isabel Fernández de Soto explained

Isabel Fernández
Fullname:María-Isabel Fernández de Soto
Birth Date:18 September 1950
Frenchopenresult:3R (1976)
Wimbledonresult:2R (1974)
Usopenresult:3R (1973)
Doublestitles:2 WTA
Frenchopendoublesresult:QF (1971, 1972, 1973)
Wimbledondoublesresult:SF (1973)
Usopendoublesresult:2R (1972, 1976)
Frenchopenmixedresult:SF (1973)
Wimbledonmixedresult:QF (1972)
Usopenmixedresult:2R (1972)

María-Isabel Fernández de Soto (born 18 September 1950) is a former professional tennis player from Colombia.

Biography

Fernández, who is originally from Cali, took a tennis scholarship to the University of South Florida at the age of 19.[1] After a year of college, she joined the international tennis circuit and became the first Colombian woman to play professionally.[1] She made several WTA quarterfinals but was most successful on tour as a doubles player.

She represented Colombia in the 1972 Federation Cup and won five of her six singles matches.

Her two Grand Slam semifinals were both in doubles: the mixed doubles at the 1973 French Open with Jairo Velasco and women's doubles at the 1973 Wimbledon Championships with Fiorella Bonicelli.

Fernández won her first WTA title with Martina Navratilova at the 1974 Virginia Slims of Dallas.[2] The following year, she won another title at the 1975 U.S. Clay Court Championships with Fiorella Bonicelli as her partner.[3]

Since retiring, she has worked as a tennis coach, and she is now a tennis pro at the Sawmill club in New York.[4]

WTA Tour finals

Doubles (2–1)

ResultW–LDateTournamentPartnerOpponentsScore
Loss0–1August 1973Indianapolis, U.S. Fiorella Bonicelli4–6, 4–6
Win2–0March 1974Dallas, U.S. Martina Navratilova6–3, 3–6, 6–3
Win2–1August 1975Indianapolis, U.S. Fiorella Bonicelli3–6, 7–5, 6–3

Notes and References

  1. News: For The Record; A Winning Drop Shot In the 50-and-Over Slot. Slater. Chuck. 13 January 2002. The New York Times. 7 July 2017.
  2. News: Top Competition Expected For Barnett Tennis Classic. Fretz. Tory. 9 March 1975. Playground Daily News. 21. 7 July 2017.
  3. News: Evert overcomes deficit. 10 August 1975. Lima News. 35. 7 July 2017.
  4. Web site: Tennis Pros – Saw Mill Club. sawmillclub.com. 7 July 2017.