Jodar vs Yunchaokete Prediction 2 September 2026
🔊 In 2024, Rafael Jodar won the junior US Open title, and in 2026 he returns to these courts to make his main-draw debut here at senior level. The Spaniard has made a huge ranking leap this season - he began the year outside the top 150 and arrives at the Major ranked 13th in the world. He was originally drawn to face Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first round, but with the Australian withdrawing, he will instead play lucky loser Bu Yunchaokete. In terms of quality, it is a like-for-like swap: the Chinese player's career-high ranking is actually marginally better than Kokkinakis's - 64th versus 65th. We'll see whether the Asian player can make the most of his second chance.
Head-to-Head
📊 Rafael Jodar and Bu Yunchaokete have never previously met.
Rafael Jodar Player Overview
Rafael Jodar arrives at the US Open having won seven of his last ten matches. A product of the Spanish school of tennis, he had a solid summer hard-court swing, reaching the final of the 500-level event in Washington and the semi-finals of the 1000-level event in Montreal. That said, his game is better suited to slower surfaces and does not change greatly on hard courts. This is reflected in a 73% hold rate on serve, though at 191 cm he does hit a fair number of aces. His strongest weapon, however, is his return, which ranks among the best in the tour - in Montreal, for instance, he posted a notably high 49% of points won on opponents' first serve.
Match Results: Rafael Jodar
Bu Yunchaokete Player Overview
Bu Yunchaokete is ranked outside the top 100 and failed to qualify for the US Open, losing in the final qualifying round to Federico Cina in three sets (6-3, 4-6, 5-7). His best result this summer was a semi-final at the hard-court Challenger in Lincoln, and he also missed the only ATP 1000 event of the swing, Cincinnati, after another unsuccessful qualifying campaign. His serve is a genuine weapon for an underdog: he holds around 83% of his service games and averages six aces per match. His game is varied enough to be active at the net, though his defensive consistency is limited and he tends to avoid extended baseline rallies, preferring to finish points in a few shots.
Match Results: Bu Yunchaokete
Key factors
- Bu Yunchaokete is more aggressive on serve but struggles in extended rallies.
- The Chinese player failed to qualify in his last two ATP Tour qualifying attempts.
- Rafael Jodar has an excellent return and solid defensive game.
- This summer the Spaniard consistently reached the later stages of ATP 500 and 1000 events.
Expected scenario
The match will probably open with a baseline exchange, where the physically powerful Bu Yunchaokete tries to set a high tempo from the off, leaning on his characteristic deep forehand and varying the rhythm with slices and net approaches. However, Rafael Jodar - in exceptional form and well acquainted with these courts after his junior title here - should adapt quickly to his opponent's aggression, take control of the centre of the court, push the Chinese player into defence and begin to wear him down with extended rally patterns.
⭐ Editor's Pick
Rafael Jodar's level is considerably higher, and his results on hard courts this summer are impressive - particularly given that clay is his primary surface. Bu Yunchaokete is far from his former position inside the world's top 100 and has not been able to break into ATP Tour main draws for some time; in New York he even entered as a lucky loser. The contrast in styles also favours the Spanish player: at the key moments in sets, the enormous difference in confidence and match sharpness at major tournaments over the course of the season will tell. It is hard to imagine any outcome other than a comfortable Jodar win with a -7.5 games handicap.
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Betting Tips: Rafael Jodar - Bu Yunchaokete
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