Raducanu Battles Through Slow Start to Reach Second Round

"A determined performance that sets her up for a challenging second round."

Emma Raducanu recovered from a slow start to secure a straight-sets win in the first round of the 2026 Australian Open. She defeated Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6‑4, 6‑1 in Melbourne to advance to the second round.

Raducanu fell behind early in the opening set, trailing 1‑3 and facing break points. She gradually found her rhythm, improving her serving, forehand, and court movement. Her strong finish saw her win 10 of the last 11 games, completing the match in about 72 minutes.

The win comes after a challenging start to the season, including a late arrival in Melbourne due to her previous tournament and a recent foot injury. Raducanu showed tactical awareness and mental resilience, turning an early deficit into a confident victory.

With this result, Raducanu will face Austria’s Anastasia Potapova in the second round. Her performance reassures fans that she is ready to challenge deeper into the tournament and compete at the highest level.