Sergey Afanasenka and Alex Emery advanced to the men’s doubles Round of 32 at the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships presented by Ensure Max Protein after defeating AJ Koller and Ivan Jakovljevic in straight games on Tuesday. The match took place at Life Time Peachtree Corners in Georgia.
Upset Win After Qualifying Run
Afanasenka and Emery, seeded No. 43, entered the main draw after battling through three qualifying matches on Monday. Riding that momentum, they took on the highly ranked No. 17 seeds AJ Koller and Ivan Jakovljevic.
The match was competitive, but Afanasenka and Emery stayed focused and earned an 11-6, 11-9 win. Their steady play and energy helped them complete the upset in just two games, a big achievement for the pair coming out of qualifiers.
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Round of 32 Challenge Ahead
The win sends Sergey Afanasenka and Alex Emery into the next round, where they will face another tough team: No. 12 Jay Devilliers and Augie Ge on Wednesday.
This victory is a major boost for Afanasenka and Emery, who are looking to make a deep run in the tournament after entering as underdogs. Their teamwork and strong start could make them a dangerous pair in the rounds to come.
Turning Momentum Into Opportunity
After proving themselves in qualifying and now taking down a top-seeded team, Sergey Afanasenka and Alex Emery are showing they belong among the best.
Their next match against Jay Devilliers and Augie Ge will be another test—but one they now seem ready for. Fans will be watching closely to see if this rising duo can keep the surprises coming.
News in Brief: Sergey Afanasenka and Alex Emery
Sergey Afanasenka and Alex Emery, seeded No. 43, upset No. 17 seeds AJ Koller and Ivan Jakovljevic 11-6, 11-9 at the 2025 Veolia Atlanta Pickleball Championships on Tuesday. After advancing through qualifiers, they now face No. 12 seeds Jay Devilliers and Augie Ge in the Round of 32.