🏆 Qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan pulled off one of the biggest upsets at the 2026 Australian Open on Monday, stunning former world No.11 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 2-6, 7-6.
The 23-year-old, ranked 702nd, saved a match point in a nail-biting final-set tiebreak, then fired a killer forehand down the line to seal the win before collapsing on the court in disbelief 😲🎾.
It's Bai's first main-draw victory at Melbourne Park and makes her the first Chinese player to reach the second round this year. Following her 2023 Wimbledon breakout, she's proving Asia's tennis scene is on the rise — just like those underdog moments we love in the IPL and local cricket leagues 🎉.
Next up: top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Can Bai keep the dream alive? We'll be watching!
Reference(s):
China's Bai stuns Pavlyuchenkova to reach Australian Open second round
cgtn.com
