Raducanu given Sabalenka’s potential hurdle in Melbourne

Emma Raducano’s hopes of a smoother run at the Australian Open were dashed with another potential third-round match against world number one Aryna Sabalenka.

Raducano, Britain’s top seed, has been seeded for a major for the first time since the 2022 US Open, but will face the top seed at the earliest opportunity.

The 23-year-old will face Thailand’s Mananchaya Saawangkaew in her opening match, while Austria’s Anastasia Potopova or Dutch Suzanne Lammens awaits in the second round.

Two-time winner Sabalenka will start against France’s Tiantsa Rakotomanga Rajaona, as she defends the title Madison keys – who beat Sabalenka in last year’s final – will play Ukrainian Oleksandra Olenikova.

In the men’s draw, the two-time defending Italian champion Yannick Siner He begins his bid against world number 94 Frenchman Hugo Gaston.

The second seed sinner cannot face his opponent Carlos Alcaraz Until the final, where the duo met in cup matches in the past three major tournaments.

The Sinner was placed on the same side of the draw as the 10-time champion Novak Djokovic This means that they may meet in the semi-finals, while Spain’s Alcaraz, ranked number one in the world, will start against Australia’s Adam Walton.

How could Raducano have the opportunity to make a statement

As 28th seed Raducano has struggled for consistency since winning the 2021 US Open, looking too far ahead at a tie is still dangerous.

But she has made encouraging strides over the past year, improving her physical fitness and showing more flexibility.

If Raducano continues to face Sabalenka, it will provide another opportunity to prove she can beat the best.

All four of her Grand Slam defeats last year came against world superstars – who Raducano said had extra motivation to beat her.

Raducano suffered one-sided defeats at the hands of six-time major champion Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open and French Open, and subsequently Sabalenka was tested At Wimbledon before falling in straight sets.

And at the US Open, Radusio He claimed only three matches As it was demolished by 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

Having a superstar name isn’t vital, but it will prove that Raducanu has the ability to beat the best. It will also ensure that the rest of the locker room focuses on her.

As a lower seed, Raducano knew she would face one of the top eight in the third round in Melbourne if she got there.

Sabalenka may not have been her first choice.

While Raducano He threatened to bring it down In Cincinnati last year, the 27-year-old Belarusian has a tremendous record on the Australian hard courts and won the Brisbane International last week.

There are no guarantees that Sabalenka will qualify for the round of 32.

But if she can’t beat 118th-ranked Rakotomanga Rajaona, then Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or one of the qualifiers, it will be a seismic shock.

Who are the other Brits playing?

Raducanu is one of seven British players in the Australian Open’s singles draw and the highest-ranked, along with Jack Draper. Missing with an arm injury.

katie poulter, Now ranked outside the world’s top 100, she moves into the main draw after several withdrawals and faces in-form Swiss Belinda Bencic, seeded 10th.

Sunay Kartal She faces 31st seed Anna Kalinskaya Francesca Jones Take the playoffs.

Cameron NorrieThe twenty-sixth seed opens the opening match against Frenchman Benjamin Ponzi Jacob Fearnley The role of Poland is played by Kamil Majchrzak.

Playoffs Arthur FerryHe, who is participating for the first time in the four major tournaments outside the country, will face Italian Flavio Copoli, seeded twentieth.