Emma Raducanu recovers from slow start to ease through at Australian Open

January 18, 2026

TL;DR

Emma Raducanu won her opening Australian Open match 6-4, 6-1 against Mananchaya Sawangkaew after a slow start.
Raducanu criticized Australian Open scheduling, having only one day to prepare after a delayed flight from Hobart.
She described holding her latest practice session of her life from 9:15 pm to 11 pm due to scheduling.
Sawangkaew, making her Grand Slam debut, displayed impressive early form with strong groundstrokes.
Raducanu's serve and forehand improved during the match, enabling her comeback.
Her next opponent will be Anastasia Potapova, with a potential third-round match against Aryna Sabalenka.
Aryna Sabalenka also won her first-round match comfortably against Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
Sabalenka demonstrated improved net play, approaching the net 22 times in her match.

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