Emma Raducanu could face a blockbuster third-round encounter with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open, following the release of the tournament draw in Melbourne.
The 23-year-old British No 1 enters the competition as the 28th seed, marking her first seeding at a Grand Slam since her remarkable US Open triumph in 2021.
Despite this protection in the draw, Raducanu finds herself on course to meet the tournament favourite at the earliest possible stage.
The Kent-born player endured a frustrating 2025 at major championships, repeatedly colliding with elite opponents in the early rounds.
She fell to Iga Swiatek on two occasions, whilst also suffering defeats to Sabalenka and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
Raducanu's opening assignment appears manageable on paper, though her first-round opponent carries hidden dangers.
Thai player Mananchaya Sawangkaew sits at 195th in the rankings, a position suppressed by recent injury troubles, and the talented youngster claimed her first title of 2026 without conceding a set after reaching the Southeast Asian Games final in December.
Emma Raducanu could face a blockbuster third-round encounter with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open, following the release of the tournament draw in Melbourne
|GETTY
Should Raducanu progress, either Anastasia Potapova, ranked 54th, or 95th-ranked Suzan Lamens awaits in round two.
The British No 1's preparations hit a bump when she suffered an unexpected loss at the Hobart International warm-up event, falling to world No 204 Taylah Preston.
Nevertheless, Raducanu remains heavily favoured to navigate her opening matches and reach that tantalising third-round showdown with Sabalenka.
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Five facts for tennis fans | GETTY/PAThe Belarusian powerhouse represents perhaps Raducanu's best chance among the sport's elite players, with their recent encounters proving remarkably competitive.
Their Wimbledon third-round clash last year produced one of the tournament's finest matches, with Sabalenka needing an exquisite drop shot to rescue a set point before prevailing 7-6, 6-4 in a contest that hung in the balance throughout.
A month later in Cincinnati, Raducanu pushed the world No 1 even further, eventually succumbing 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 after three hours and nine minutes of absorbing tennis.
"You're better than her," coach Francis Roig bellowed from the stands during that marathon.
That Cincinnati second set represented Raducanu's sole set victory in 12 meetings against the tour's dominant quartet of Sabalenka, Swiatek, Rybakina and Coco Gauff.
Raducanu is joined by three other British women in Melbourne.
Emma Raducanu made the third round of the Australian Open last year
| REUTERSSonay Kartal faces a challenging opener against 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya, whilst Katie Boulter drew an even tougher assignment against 10th seed Belinda Bencic.
Boulter, currently ranked 113th globally, secured her spot following late withdrawals from the field.
Francesca Jones, a close friend of Raducanu, received a favourable draw against qualifier Linda Klimovicova.
In the men's competition, Cam Norrie spearheads the British contingent with Jack Draper sidelined as he completes his recovery from an arm injury.
The 26th seed opens against French world number 106 Benjamin Bonzi, with a potential third-round meeting against third seed Alexander Zverev looming.
Jacob Fearnley begins against Kamil Majchrzak, while Arthur Fery, 23, competes in his first Grand Slam main draw outside Wimbledon against 20th seed Flavio Cobolli.