Volynets, Kessler Turn Tide at Credit One Charleston Open
Katie Volynets
AMERICAN URHOBO, 19, EARNS FIRST TOUR-LEVEL VICTORY
A Florida teen and a pair of comeback kids were among those turning heads as opening-round action swung into gear on Monday at the 2026 Credit One Charleston Open.
Playing only her second main-draw match at the tour level — her first in the WTA 500 category — 19-year-old Akasha Urhobo advanced to the second round when her opponent, Argentine Solana Sierra, retired down a set and a break at 5-7, 3-0.
“I really just wanted it to be me knowing that there was no pressure on me,” said Urhobo, who was introduced to the sport by her father, Fort Lauderdale-based teaching pro T.J. Urhobo. “Solana’s been at this level before. When I woke up this morning, I said, ‘I’m just going to go out there and play.’ I just wanted to go and show who I was on the court today, and I feel like I did a good job of that.”
Akasha Urhobo
The newcomer Urhobo, who raced through the qualifying rounds with wins over compatriots Whitney Osuigwe (6-2, 6-2) and Elvina Kalieva (6-1, 6-1), plays an aggressive, all-court brand of tennis; unafraid to chip and charge or throw in the occasional serve-and-volley. It’s an approach she’s sure to call on when she faces Abu Dhabi titlist and 13th seed Sara Bejlek in Round 2.
“I’m just on a high right now,” said Urhobo, now coached by former Naomi Osaka mentor and Venus Williams hitting partner Jermaine Jenkins. “It’s definitely very different. I love being able to compete with all these people that I grew up watching on TV, being able to walk in the same area, share the locker room, share casual conversations.”
Monday also saw a pair of Americans — Katie Volynets and McCartney Kessler — storm back from a set down to advance. Volynets defeated Germany’s Eva Lys, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0, while Kessler turned the tide against Kalieva, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. U.S. wildcards Sloane Stephens and Jen Brady didn’t fare as well. Stephens, who raised the trophy here a decade ago, fell to Mexico’s Renata Zarazua, 6-2, 6-0; Brady came up short against Bulgarian qualifier Viktoriya Tomova, 6-4, 6-3.
Qualifier Donna Vekic won her third match in three days, improving to 3-0 against Ajla Tomljanovic via a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 decsion in Credit One Stadium. Also advancing were: Dayana Yastremska (def. Anastasia Zakharova, 7-5, 6-2), Yulia Putintseva (def. Lulu Sun, 7-6(6), 6-2) and Anna Bondar (def. Darja Vidmanova, 7-5, 7-5).
McCartney Kessler
