Volynets upsets Kudermetova

Qualifier Katie Volynets defeated ninth seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to advance to the third round and continue American success at the year’s first Grand Slam.

The world number 113 is the first US qualifier to reach the third round in women’s singles at Melbourne Park since 1993’s Lindsay Davenport.

The 21-year-old got “chills” after winning her maiden match against a top-10 player.

“Suddenly, you reach match-point and it’s like ‘wow I’ve got match-point against the ninth seed’,” Volynets said in her on-court interview.

“Go for it and let it happen.”

I’ve never played in a stadium with so many people cheering me on. Awesome.”

Volynets won a day after fellow Americans Mackenzie McDonald, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Frances Tiafoe defeated Rafael Nadal.

Zhang Shuai or Petra Martic await Volynets in the fourth round.