Emma Raducanu launched her 2026 Australian Open campaign with a hard-fought victory, overcoming a nervy start to defeat Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew in straight sets. The British star, seeded in the tournament, ultimately triumphed 6-4, 6-1 to secure her place in the second round at Melbourne Park.
Early Struggles and a Spirited Fightback
The match did not begin as planned for Raducanu. Her opponent, Mananchaya Sawangkaew, ranked 195th in the world and making her Grand Slam debut, came out swinging with impressive confidence. Sawangkaew's aggressive topspin forehand and sharp net play saw her race to a 3-1 lead in the opening set, even holding two break points to extend her advantage further.
Raducanu admitted after the match that she found the initial phase challenging. "I feel very happy to have gotten through the match," she said. "From the beginning, I felt like she was playing incredibly well. All of her returns and shots seemed to fall on the baseline and were really difficult."
Finding Rhythm to Seize Control
Facing a potential upset, the Briton dug deep. The turning point came as she saved those crucial break points and began to find her range, particularly on her first serve and forehand. From 1-3 down in the first set, Raducanu won 11 of the next 13 games, demonstrating a marked increase in intensity and vocal support for her own shots.
While Sawangkaew's level dipped slightly after her bright start, Raducanu's composure and growing authority from the baseline proved decisive. The Thai player's performance highlighted her potential, a reminder of her steady rise before a six-month injury hiatus last year.
Overcoming Off-Court Hurdles
The victory followed a less-than-ideal preparation for Raducanu. She had just one day to practise on-site in Melbourne after a delayed flight from Hobart, where she competed on Thursday evening. On Saturday, she had been critical of the tournament's scheduling, and her early struggles perhaps reflected a lack of adjustment time to the conditions.
Nevertheless, her ability to problem-solve mid-match and overpower a dangerous opponent signals a positive start to her Australian Open. The win sets up a second-round clash as she continues her journey in the season's first Grand Slam.
