Emma Raducanu Advances at Australian Open, Sets Up Second-Round Clash
MELBOURNE, January 20, 2026 – British tennis star Emma Raducanu has successfully navigated her first test at the 2026 Australian Open, securing a place in the second round with a commanding 6-4, 6-1 victory over Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew. The 23-year-old, seeded 28th, displayed growing confidence on the Melbourne hard courts after a disrupted preparation.
Controlled Victory Under the Lights
Raducanu’s opening match on Margaret Court Arena was a tale of two sets. After a tentative start where she trailed early, the 2021 US Open champion found her rhythm, rallying to take the first set 6-4. She then dominated the second, closing out the match in one hour and 11 minutes. The win marks her fifth consecutive year reaching at least the second round in Melbourne.
“I feel very happy to have got through that match,” Raducanu said in her post-match press conference. “From the beginning I felt like she was playing really well. I’m really proud of how I fought back.”
Road to the Title: A Look at Raducanu’s 2026 Campaign
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current WTA Ranking | No. 29 |
| Australian Open Seed | 28 |
| First-Round Result | Win vs. M. Sawangkaew (6-4, 6-1) |
| Next Opponent | Anastasia Potapova (World No. 55) |
| Potential Third-Round Match | World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka |
| Coach | Francis Roig (since August 2025) |
Building Momentum After Injury Setbacks
Raducanu’s path to Melbourne was challenging. A foot injury limited her pre-season training, and she only returned to competitive play at the United Cup in early January. Her preparations were further impacted by a quarterfinal loss in Hobart and logistical issues, including a delayed flight to Melbourne. Despite this, she expressed satisfaction with her rapid improvement.
“I came out here having not played any practice points,” Raducanu revealed. “My match with [Maria] Sakkari was pretty much the first practice that I played… I’m happy with the speed at how I’ve kind of found my feet.”
Looking Ahead: Potapova and Beyond
The immediate focus shifts to Anastasia Potapova. The 55th-ranked Russian presents a significant step up in competition. A victory would likely set up a blockbuster third-round encounter with defending champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, a player Raducanu pushed to two tight tiebreaks in their last meeting.
Beyond Melbourne, Raducanu is scheduled to be the top seed at the WTA 250 Transylvania Open in Romania, beginning February 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Emma Raducanu’s best result at the Australian Open?
Raducanu’s best performance in Melbourne was reaching the third round in 2025, where she lost to Iga Swiatek.
How many Grand Slam titles has she won?
Emma Raducanu has won one Grand Slam title: the 2021 US Open, which she won as a qualifier without dropping a set.
What was notable about her 2025 season?
The 2025 season was a stabilizing year for Raducanu. Highlights included a semifinal run at the Washington Citi Open (a WTA 500 event), a quarterfinal at the Miami Open (WTA 1000), and third-round appearances at three of the four Grand Slams.