Emma Raducanu might be a Grand Slam champion, but late-night matches at Melbourne Park still present a challenge. For her Australian Open first-round match against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, the 23-year-old British number one started her day with a relaxed riverside walk, treatment, a chat with her team, and a nap to prepare for the late-evening match.
Arriving on court around 9pm, Raducanu started slowly, making errors as Sawangkaew threatened an early lead. But the 28th seed quickly found her rhythm, winning seven games in a row to claim a 6-4, 6-1 victory. Raducanu praised her focus and resilience, saying the key was competing well at crucial points and gradually taking control.
Seeded for the first time at a major since the 2022 US Open, Raducanu will face Austria’s Anastasia Potapova next, with world number one Aryna Sabalenka potentially awaiting in round three.
Raducanu has been steadily rebuilding her season, climbing back into the world’s top 30 despite an off-season hampered by a foot injury. Her disciplined routine and strong mindset have already helped her start the tournament with confidence.
