In a match that had Melbourne Park fans on their feet, Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the 2026 Australian Open, defeating former French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(10-8) in a nail-biting first-round thriller. 🥵
Underdog Spirit Shines
The world No. 702 showed nerves of steel, saving a match point in the final-set tiebreak before clinching victory with a laser-like forehand. The 23-year-old collapsed to the court afterward, later telling reporters: "I just kept believing – even when my legs felt like noodles!" 🍜
From Wimbledon to Melbourne
Bai’s win marks her second Grand Slam main-draw victory since her 2023 Wimbledon breakthrough. While she’ll next face top seed Aryna Sabalenka ("Bring on the challenge!"), this result already cements her status as China’s newest tennis sensation. 🇨🇳
Fun fact: Bai used her prize money from last year’s Wimbledon to buy her coach… a lifetime supply of bubble tea! 🧋
