Emma Raducanu has successfully navigated her first hurdle at the Australian Open, rallying from a shaky start to secure a straight-sets victory over Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew. The British star advanced to the second round with a 6-4, 6-1 win in Melbourne.
Early Struggles and a Spirited Fightback
The match did not begin as planned for the former US Open champion. Sawangkaew, a 23-year-old making her Grand Slam debut, came out swinging with impressive confidence. Raducanu quickly found herself in trouble, trailing 1-3 and facing two break points at 15-40. The Thai player's aggressive topspin forehand and sharp net play caused significant problems.
"I feel very happy to have gotten through the match," Raducanu admitted afterwards. "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. So I’m really happy with how I was able to fight back."
Raducanu Finds Her Rhythm
Staring down a potential double-break deficit, the Briton dramatically shifted momentum. She began landing crucial first serves and started to dictate play with her forehand, a shot that has been inconsistent in recent months. The transformation was stark; from a precarious position, Raducanu won 11 of the next 13 games to seal the match.
Her on-court demeanour was notably vocal, with frequent grunts and cheers punctuating points, a display of fighting spirit against an inexperienced but dangerous opponent. Once she found her range, the contest became one-sided, with Sawangkaew unable to maintain her astonishing early level.
Challenges Beyond the Court
The victory came despite a significant logistical challenge in the lead-up. Raducanu had criticised the tournament's scheduling after arriving in Melbourne with just one full day to prepare. Having played in Hobart on Thursday evening, a delayed flight meant she only touched down on Friday, leaving minimal time to acclimatise to the conditions at Melbourne Park.
This disruption may have contributed to her initial sluggishness. However, credit must also go to Sawangkaew, whose world ranking of 195 belies her talent. The Thai player had been rising rapidly before a six-month injury hiatus and showcased excellent defensive skills and tactical nous in the first set.
With this solid, if not entirely flawless, opening performance behind her, Raducanu now looks ahead to the second round. The win marks a positive step in her ongoing comeback, demonstrating the resilience and problem-solving ability required to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
