Emma Raducanu begins her Australian Open campaign on Sunday as a seeded player for the first time in three years. The British No 1 and 28th seed faces Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the first round on Margaret Court Arena, starting around 10:30am GMT. The match marks a significant milestone for the 23-year-old, who returned to the world's top 30 during the 2025 season after struggling with injuries and form.
Organisers scheduled Raducanu's match fourth on Margaret Court Arena, following the men's night session opener between Alexander Bublik and Jenson Brooksby, which starts not before 8am UK time. Earlier matches could delay the exact start time.
Concerning Recent Form
Raducanu enters the tournament with questions over her preparation. She has played only three matches in 2026, losing two of them. This week, she exited the Hobart International after losing to Taylah Preston, ranked 204th. A troublesome foot injury disrupted her off-season.
Her opponent Sawangkaew, ranked 195th in the world, will be making her Grand Slam main draw debut.
Strong Australian Open Record
Despite recent struggles, Raducanu has a perfect first-round record in Melbourne. The 2021 US Open champion has won all four of her previous opening matches at the Australian Open since her debut in 2022. Last year, she reached the third round, her best result at the tournament, before losing to world No 2 Iga Swiatek in straight sets.
Challenging Draw Ahead
Raducanu faces a tough path if she progresses. World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka looms as a potential third-round opponent, presenting a formidable challenge for the British player.
TNT Sports will broadcast the tournament live in the UK, with online streaming on Discovery+. In the US, ESPN and Tennis Channel will provide live coverage.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
