Denis Shapovalov Secures Australian Open Second Round Spot
MELBOURNE – Canadian tennis star Denis Shapovalov is moving on to the second round of the Australian Open after a convincing victory over China’s Bu Yunchaokete. Shapovalov defeated the wildcard entrant 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-1 in his opening match at the prestigious Grand Slam tournament on Monday, January 19th, 2026.
The 26-year-old from Richmond Hill, Ontario, showcased his powerful serve, firing down 19 aces throughout the match. He also capitalized on break point opportunities, converting 3 of 8, while successfully defending his own serve throughout the entire contest. The match concluded in two hours and fifteen minutes, with Shapovalov dominating with 47 winners compared to Bu’s 11.
Next Round Challenge: Shapovalov vs. Cilic
Shapovalov will now face a challenging second-round matchup against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. This promises to be a thrilling encounter between two seasoned veterans of the game. Fans can expect a high-intensity battle as both players vie for a spot in the later stages of the tournament.
Canadian Contingent at the Australian Open
Unfortunately, Shapovalov is currently the only Canadian remaining in the men’s singles draw. Seventh seed Félix Auger-Aliassime of Montreal was forced to retire from his first-round match against Portugal’s Nuno Borges. Gabriel Diallo and Liam Draxl of Newmarket, Ontario, also suffered defeats in their opening-round matches.
Mboko Shines in Women’s Singles
On a brighter note for Canada, Victoria Mboko delivered a stellar performance in the women’s singles. The 19-year-old breakout star needed just 72 minutes to overcome Emerson Jones of Australia 6-4, 6-1. Mboko demonstrated impressive serving accuracy, winning 77% of her first serve points and 59% of her second serve points. She will next face American Caty McNally in the second round.
The Australian Open continues to deliver exciting tennis action, and Canadian fans will be eagerly following Shapovalov and Mboko as they compete for glory. Stay updated on all the latest news and scores at thestar.com.
