British tennis star Emma Raducanu continues her Australian Open campaign with a challenging second-round encounter against Anastasia Potapova on Wednesday 21st January 2026. The match represents a significant test for the 28th seed as she aims to progress to the third round where a potential showdown with world number one Aryna Sabalenka awaits.
Raducanu's Form and Preparation
Raducanu arrives at this match following a straight-sets victory over Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the opening round, though she acknowledged a slow start to that contest. The British number one revealed she was pleased with how quickly she found her rhythm on court despite arriving late in Melbourne after an injury-disrupted off-season.
The 23-year-old has discovered she has acquired a new nickname among Australian fans, with locals affectionately referring to her as 'Raddo' following her first-round performance. Raducanu expressed surprise at the moniker but appeared to embrace the local support as she continues her Melbourne campaign.
Potapova's Background and Form
Anastasia Potapova presents a formidable challenge for Raducanu, bringing considerable experience to their encounter. The 24-year-old, who reached a career-high ranking of 21, has won three WTA Tour titles and demonstrated resilience in her first-round match by coming from behind to defeat Suzan Lamens.
Potapova now represents Austria after switching nationality from Russia in December 2025, announcing the change with words that mirrored those used by another player in a similar situation. The Russian-born athlete described Austria as "a place I love, incredibly welcoming and a place where I feel totally at home" in her announcement.
Raducanu's Assessment of Her Opponent
Speaking ahead of the match, Raducanu offered a respectful assessment of her opponent, acknowledging Potapova's pedigree and potential threat. "She's been very high ranked. I remember watching Anastasia all through juniors, number one Tennis Europe juniors, ITF. I was the year below her," Raducanu revealed.
The British star continued: "She was always the player to watch and beat through juniors. She's been very high ranked as well in the pros. She got a really tough match today so that must give her a lot of confidence. A big hitter. I know it's going to be a really tricky one. I need to just gather my strength and prepare as best as possible for the next match."
Broader Tournament Context
Raducanu remains the last British player standing in the women's singles draw at Melbourne Park. In the men's competition, Cameron Norrie and qualifier Arthur Fery continue their campaigns, with Norrie facing Emilio Nava and Fery taking on Tomas Martin Etcheverry after securing four consecutive wins in Melbourne.
Elsewhere in the tournament, two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka has already progressed to the third round with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-1 victory over qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan. Carlos Alcaraz continues his pursuit of a first Australian Open title and career grand slam against Germany's Yannick Hanfmann on the prestigious Rod Laver Arena.
The Raducanu-Potapova match follows earlier victories on the ANZ Arena for Francisco Cerundolo and Hailey Baptiste, with the British star scheduled to take centre stage as the next contest on that court. The winner will advance to face either Sabalenka or another opponent in what promises to be a compelling third-round encounter.
