British tennis star Emma Raducanu has been handed another formidable grand slam draw, with a potential third-round clash against world number one Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open.
A Daunting Path in Melbourne
The draw for the first major of 2026, released on Thursday 15 January, placed the 28th-seeded Raducanu in the same quarter as the formidable Belarusian. This sets up a possible repeat of their Wimbledon 2025 encounter, where Raducanu pushed Sabalenka hard in a competitive third-round defeat.
The British number one's 2025 season showed promise, but she struggled to overcome the WTA's elite at the slams. As well as the loss to Sabalenka, she was defeated twice by Iga Swiatek and once by Elena Rybakina, failing to progress beyond the last 32 at any of the four majors.
British Contenders Face Stern Tests
Raducanu must first navigate her opening matches. She begins her campaign against lowly-ranked Thai player Mananchaya Sawangkaew. A victory would likely lead to a second-round meeting with either Russia's Anastasia Potapova or Dutch player Suzan Lamens.
Fellow Briton Katie Boulter, who gained a last-minute entry into the main draw, faces a severe challenge straight away. She will take on in-form 10th seed Belinda Bencic in her first match. Other British women in the draw include Sonay Kartal, who meets 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya, and Francesca Jones, who will play a qualifier.
Men's Draw and Top Seeds' Prospects
In the men's singles, Cameron Norrie leads the British hopes as the 26th seed, in the absence of the injured Jack Draper. He opens against France's Benjamin Bonzi, with a potential third-round showdown against third seed Alexander Zverev. British number three Jacob Fearnley will face Poland's Kamil Majchrzak.
At the top of the women's draw, top seed Sabalenka begins her title bid against French wild card Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah. Second seed Iga Swiatek starts against a qualifier but could meet former champion Naomi Osaka in a blockbuster fourth-round match.
Third seed Coco Gauff has a fascinating potential second-round opponent in the legendary 45-year-old Venus Williams, should Williams win her opener.
In the men's event, top seed Carlos Alcaraz, aiming to complete his career Grand Slam, opens against Australian Adam Walton. Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner faces France's Hugo Gaston, with a potential third-round clash against exciting Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca. Fourth seed Novak Djokovic, in the bottom half, starts against Spain's Pedro Martinez.
There is early drama for Australian hopes too, with home favourite Alex De Minaur drawing the dangerous former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini in the first round.
