(Melbourne) Canadian Carol Zhao lost 6-3, 6-1 to American Katie Volynets in the second round of qualifying at the Australian Open last night.
Zhao, 226th in the world, was never really able to threaten Volynets, the third seed in the qualifying table. She defeated Russian Valeria Savinykh 6-3, 7-6 (7) in the first round earlier this week.
The 28-year-old Toronto native also lost her first main draw match in 2024 last week at the Brisbane tournament.
Furthermore, Ontarian Katherine Sebov will meet Belgian Ysaline Bonaventure in the second round of qualifying on Wednesday evening, while British-Colombian Rebecca Marino will face Frenchwoman Jessika Ponchet at the same stage of the competition.
On the men’s side, Montrealer Gabriel Diallo will meet Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the second round of qualifying this evening. He beat Spaniard Pablo Llamas Ruiz in the first round on Monday.
Earlier on Wednesday, organizers revealed the seeds for the first major tournament of the season, which begins Sunday at Melbourne Park.
There will be two Quebecers among the seeds at the Australian Open in 2024: Félix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Annie Fernandez.
Auger-Aliassime will be the 27th seed in the men’s draw, while Fernandez will be the 32nd seed in the women’s draw.