Croatia’s Vekic, American Teen Urhobo Force Way into Main Draw on Daniel Island
Akasha Urhobo
QUALIFIERS ROUND OUT 2026 CREDIT ONE CHARLESTON OPEN SLATE
Opportunities were aplenty on Sunday at the Credit One Charleston Open, with coveted main-draw spots up for grab for six qualifiers and two lucky losers.
Now playing under the Uzbek flag, 22-year-old Polina Kudermetova was the first to capitalize, pushing aside Dutchwoman Eva Vedder, 6-3, 6-2, in one hour and seven minutes. Kudermetova’s older sister, Veronika, captured the Charleston singles title in 2021 (def. Danka Kovinic, 6-4, 6-2).
Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova, two years removed from a career-best No. 46 in the PIF WTA Rankings, roared back from a set down to dismiss onetime University of South Carolina All-American Ayana Akli, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. She moves on to face American wildcard Jennifer Brady.
Donna Vekic
A Wimbledon semifinalist and Olympic silver medalist in 2024, Donna Vekic outslugged Georgian southpaw Ekaterine Gorgodze in Credit One Stadium, 6-2, 6-3. For her efforts, she earned an opening-round Monday night matchup with Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.
Florida’s Akasha Urhobo, at 19 the youngest player in the qualifying draw, is through to only her second main-draw appearance at the tour level thanks to a 6-1, 6-1 dismantling of Brooklyn-born Elvina Kalieva.
Former US Open junior champ (2016) Kayla Day defeated Yue Yuan on Althea Gibson Club Court, 6-1, 6-4, while Texas A&M alum Mary Stoiana saved a pair of set points in the second to top former Georgia Bulldog and SEC Athlete of the Year Darja Vidmanova, 6-2, 7-6(2). Appearing in her first WTA 500 main draw, Stoiana will face fellow American Alycia Parks in Round 1.
Despite coming up short on Sunday, Vidmanova and Kalieva will live to see another day, having received lucky loser nods for the main draw.
Mary Stoiana
