In the first round of the Cincinnati Masters 1000, Bu Yunchaokete narrowly lost in a tight final set, falling 5–7 to rising star João Fonseca. On his coaching bench was a new face — his new coach, Xavier Malisse, who has finished a three-year partnership with Alexei Popyrin. The Belgian coach helped guide the Australian from outside the top 100 into the world’s top 25, including an ATP Masters 1000 title.