Emma Raducanu began her campaign at the Australian Open 2026 with a significant win, overcoming a slow start to advance to the second round. Despite a challenging lead-up to the tournament, Raducanu displayed resilience on the court.
Recent Performance Overview
In the 2025 season, Raducanu made notable strides. She reentered the ATP top 30 rankings while competing in more matches than in any previous year of her career. However, a foot injury limited her pre-tournament training sessions with her coach, Francisco Roig, renowned for his work with tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
Australian Open 2026 Match Highlights
Raducanu entered Melbourne with only one victory following a tough loss to Taylah Preston, ranked 204th in the world. The match underscored her need for better performance as she faced the challenge of Sawangkaew, who was making her Grand Slam main draw debut.
First Set Drama
- Sawangkaew started strong, pushing Raducanu with aggressive serves and sharp net play.
- Raducanu faced an early break and trailed 1-3, struggling to find her rhythm.
- With a series of impressive winners, Raducanu managed to lock the set at 4-4.
- She ultimately broke Sawangkaew to take the first set 6-4.
Second Set Dominance
In the second set, Raducanu showed her superior skill. She unleashed 17 winners compared to Sawangkaew’s nine and won 27 of 40 points, sealing the match with an ace.
Player Reflections
Post-match, the 28th seed expressed her satisfaction with the win. “I feel very happy to have got through the match,” Raducanu remarked. She acknowledged Sawangkaew’s strong start and expressed pride in her ability to recover.
Raducanu’s victory marks a promising start to her Australian Open 2026 journey, reflecting her determination and skill as she aims for further advancement in the tournament.
