British number one Emma Raducanu is set to launch her 2026 Australian Open bid this Sunday, marking her first appearance at a Grand Slam as a seeded player in three years. The 23-year-old, seeded 28th, will face a debutant in the first round but faces a potentially daunting path ahead in Melbourne.
Raducanu's First Round Fixture and Schedule
Raducanu will open her tournament against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, who is ranked 195th in the world and will be making her main draw debut at a major. The match is scheduled as the fourth contest on the Margaret Court Arena on Sunday 18 January.
It follows the night session's opening match between men's 10th seed Alexander Bublik and Jenson Brooksby, which is due to start at 8am UK time (7pm local). This means Raducanu is unlikely to begin before approximately 10:30am GMT, a favourable slot for British viewers, though this could be delayed if the preceding match runs long.
Form and Expectations Heading into Melbourne
Raducanu's build-up to the first major of the year has been less than ideal. A troublesome foot injury disrupted her off-season, limiting her to just three matches in 2026. She lost two of those, including a defeat to world number 204 Taylah Preston at the Hobart International this week.
However, history at the Australian Open offers some encouragement. The 2021 US Open champion has a perfect record in first-round matches at Melbourne Park, winning all four since her debut in 2022. Her best run came last year, where she reached the third round before falling to world number two Iga Swiatek.
A Tough Draw Awaits Beyond the First Round
Despite returning to the world's top 30 after a more positive 2025 season, Raducanu has landed a challenging section of the draw. Should she progress past Sawangkaew, a formidable third-round clash likely awaits against the tournament's top seed and world number one, Aryna Sabalenka.
How to Watch the Australian Open in the UK
For fans in the United Kingdom, live coverage of the Australian Open will be broadcast on TNT Sports. Viewers can also stream the action live online via the Discovery+ platform. In the United States, coverage is split between ESPN and the Tennis Channel.
All eyes will be on Margaret Court Arena this Sunday as Raducanu aims to rediscover her form and navigate a tricky start to her 2026 Grand Slam campaign.
