Emma Raducanu has been handed a nightmare draw at the Australian Open despite being seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time in over three years. The British No.1, seeded 28th, could face two-time champion and world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the third round.
Sabalenka holds a 3-0 unbeaten record against Raducanu, including a third-round win at Wimbledon last year. Raducanu’s path to that potential clash begins against world No.195 Mananchaya Sawangkaew, who is using a protected ranking after an injury. The second round would see her face either Suzan Lamens or Anastasia Potapova.
The 23-year-old has struggled with form and fitness recently. A foot issue caused concern, and she suffered a shock quarter-final loss to world No.204 Taylah Preston at the Hobart International, where rain had disrupted her earlier match against Camila Osorio.
Katie Boulter also received a tough draw after entering the main draw as a late replacement. She faces in-form Belinda Bencic, the world No.10 and United Cup MVP. Sonay Kartal takes on No.31 seed Anna Kalinskaya, with Iga Swiatek a potential third-round opponent. Francesca Jones, fresh off a career-best win over Emma Navarro, meets Polish qualifier Linda Klimovicova.
