2026 Australian Open: Buyun Chaokete falls to Shapovalov in the first round, birthday match hopes dashed

On January 19th Beijing time, the second day of the 2026 Australian Open main draw proceeded with Chinese player Buyun Chaokete competing against 21st seed Shapovalov in the first round at Kia Arena. After 2 hours and 15 minutes of battle, the Canadian veteran claimed a straight-sets victory 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-1, advancing to face ex-US Open champion Cilic in round two. Buyun Chaokete was unable to secure his first Grand Slam main draw win on his 24th birthday.

Shapovalov

Jay Chou attended the match live with his wife Hannah Quinlivan

Both players held serve through the first five games of the opening set. In the sixth game, Buyun Chaokete squandered four break points and was broken. Although he earned a break point in the seventh game, Shapovalov saved it with a 210 km/h ace. The Canadian then held serve to extend his lead to 5-2. After both players held serve again, Shapovalov took the set 6-3. The second set saw a tight contest with both players holding serve through twelve games, leading to a tiebreak. Shapovalov maintained aggressive play and led throughout, winning the tiebreak 7-3 to claim the second set.

Buyun Chaokete

During the changeover, Buyun Chaokete requested a medical timeout, receiving treatment with wrist massage from the doctor. In the third set, Shapovalov quickly jumped to a 3-0 lead. After both players held serve once more, the Canadian closed out the match with two consecutive games to win 6-1. Since his Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2024 US Open, Buyun Chaokete has been eliminated in the first round six times in a row. Fans hope he will soon break through this barrier and achieve his first victory.

(Report and editing by Wang Fei)