In a spirited performance, Emma Raducanu bounced back from a slow start to defeat world number 196 Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the initial round of the Australian Open. Raducanu staged a remarkable comeback by winning seven consecutive games to triumph 6-4, 6-1, maintaining her flawless record in the opening round at Melbourne.
Expressing her joy after the match, Raducanu praised Sawangkaew’s exceptional play, acknowledging the challenge posed by her opponent’s strong baseline shots and performance surpassing her ranking. The 28th seed began aggressively, securing the first service game despite facing formidable returns from Sawangkaew.
Raducanu faced a tough situation in the third game when Sawangkaew managed to break her serve early on, taking a 3-1 lead in her Grand Slam debut. However, Raducanu showcased resilience, saving break points and eventually leveling the set at 4-4 before clinching it with a break.
The second set saw Sawangkaew struggling with forehand errors as Raducanu surged ahead, claiming a 5-1 lead. With a commanding performance, Raducanu sealed the victory by serving for the match, closing it out in just over an hour on Margaret Court Arena.
Raducanu, exuding confidence, mentioned her late-night practice session the day before the match and acknowledged a supportive Australian fan nicknamed “Rado.” Her impressive display marked a victorious entry into the second round as she thanked her team and supporters. Tennis enthusiasts can catch all the live action from the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne on TNT Sports via Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.