MELBOURNE, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- China's Zhang Zhizhen and Bu Yunchaokete were on Thursday drawn to play seeded opponents in the first round at the Australian Open.
Zhang will play Francisco Cerundolo, the 18th seed from Argentina, in the first round at Melbourne Park while Bu will face Canadian 21st seed Denis Shapovalov.
China's Shang Juncheng was drawn against 37-year-old Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut and placed in the same section as fourth seed Novak Djokovic, meaning he could play the 10-time Australian Open champion in the third round.
In the women's draw, Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai will play Australian wildcard entrant Taylah Preston in the first round and could face 13th seed Linda Noskova in the second round.
China's Wang Xinyu was drawn against a qualifier for her first round match, while Yuan Yue was to face World No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland.
Defending champion Jannik Sinner of Italy will begin his campaign for a historic third consecutive title against France's Hugo Gaston, and World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will play Australia's Adam Walton.
Speaking at the draw ceremony at Melbourne Park, Sinner said that every match would be a challenge. "Especially at the beginning of the season, you never know what to expect. Players change a couple of things in the offseason, so let's see what's coming," he said.
Defending champion Madison Keys of the United States will play Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova in the first round, and World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, a two-time Australian Open champion, was drawn against French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
The singles evevts will commence at Melbourne Park on Sunday. ■
