She has the perfect tennis name: Katie Volynets – “Volley Nets”

When she was younger, Katie Volynets used to fake stomachaches to get out of swimming. He was much more focused on improving his tennis.

It worked.

At the Australian Open on Thursday, the 21-year-old American qualifier defeated 9th seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to reach the third round of a Grand Slam event for the first time.

Born in the United States to Ukrainian parents, 21-year-old Volynets grew up speaking Russian as his mother tongue and learned English at school.

They wanted English teachers to teach me English, so I wouldn’t pick up English from them, she said of her parents.

Volynets said he is in regular contact with his extended family in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia nearly 11 months ago.

I have a lot of cousins ​​in Ukraine and they watch every match. Usually they write to me and I communicate with them. Its really special. It’s a really difficult time, he said, referring to the war.

Before, everyone could move around the country as they wanted and go about their days, and now it’s just everyday, he said. I really feel for them. It’s amazing to have their support through all of this. Every time I come out on the field, I hope I support them too, because they’re watching, and I stay strong for them.

Volynets was asked how his last name should be pronounced. It looks fit for a tennis player.

I’m going to stick to the volleyball nets, she said.

And when asked if he actually pronounced it like that at home, he replied: Now it is.

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ONE BALL TOO MUCH

On Court 3, there was controversy in the second round match between France’s Jeremy Chardy and Great Britain’s Dan Evans.

With Chardy serving at 3-3, after the break point, the ball from Chardys pocket fell onto the court during the point, which the Frenchman lost.

Normally the point would have been replayed, but umpire Miriam Bley saw the loose ball late and awarded the point and therefore the game to Evans.

Chardy argued his case for 10 minutes to no avail and Evans won the match in straight sets.

I was angry because he should stop immediately and he says he didn’t even see the ball, Chardy said. I don’t know what he is doing because he doesn’t call in or out. He just called the score, and if he doesn’t look at it.

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MATCH CANCELED

The second round match between Andrei Rublev and Emil Ruusuvour was interrupted on Thursday when the two men hung a Ukrainian flag on the edge of the front row seats at the Kia Arena.

Russian Rublev said his only problem was what the two men said.

It wasn’t about the ticket, he said. I immediately told the referee that it is not about a flag, they can put any flag, I completely understand the situation. More than that, they started telling me bad words and bad things. I said to the referee: It’s not about the flag, but can you at least tell them not to say bad words when I’m on the substitution.

Australian Open organizers banned Russian and Belarus flags from this year’s event due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Rublev, the No. 5 seed, has been one of the few Russian players to speak out against the war.

For the record, Rublev beat Ruusuvuouri 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-3.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports