Emma Raducanu will hope to start 2026 strongly as the Australian Open gets underway. The 23-year-old is ranked 28th at the tournament and will not play another seeded player until the third round in Melbourne.
Qualifying matches have already begun with plenty of players looking to replicate Raducanu’s career-defining triumph at the 2021 US Open. The British ace came through qualifying to eventually clinch the major title at Flushing Meadows while still a teenager. Being seeded means Raducanu, who is currently competing at the Hobart International, should theoretically have an easier route to progress at the Australian Open. However, there are several names that the young star wish to avoid as she looks to start the New Year off on a positive note. Here, Express Sport takes a look at the potential opponents who could be a nightmare draw for Raducanu.
Sloane Stephens
Sloane Stephens is the only Grand Slam champion currently making her way through qualifying. The 32-year-old won the US Open in 2017 but has seen her ranking plummet in recent years due to injury.
Qualifiers need to win three matches to reach the main draw. Stephens overcame Barbora Palicova in the first round and will face a stern test in her next match against Australia’s Olivia Gadecki.
The American was previously ranked as high as third back in 2018 but extended breaks from competition saw her begin this year as world No.1098. However, Raducanu may hope to avoid the former Australian Open semi-finalist as she looks to reclaim her past glory.
Katie Boulter
Fellow Brit Katie Boulter would be an unfortunate opponent for Raducanu in the opening rounds. Being drawn against each other would also ensure British fans are guaranteed one less hopeful to cheer on.
Boulter was initially scheduled to be part of qualifying but has since been moved into the main draw. She was the first alternate and benefited from a player withdrawing, despite some initial confusion when qualifying matches were first announced.
The 29-year-old was seeded No.22 at last year’s Australian Open, reaching the second round. Injury battles and a loss of form mean she is no longer ranked in the top 100 but Boulter remains a formidable early opponent for any player in the main draw.
Anastasia Zakharova
The 23-year-old was the top seed in qualifying but was promoted to the main draw after another player withdrew from the tournament. Anastasia Zakhrova has reached No.79 in the world rankings and poses a significant threat to Raducanu and other star names.
The Russian is yet to win a title on the WTA tour but has claimed success at 16 ITF events. She first reached the main draw of a major at the 2024 Australian Open, advancing to the third round.
Last year, Zakharova demonstrated her prowess by defeating a top 30 player for the first time in her career. At Queens’s, she sealed a surprise victory over world No.21 Donna Vekic before losing to Madison Keys in the following round.
Buoyed by her success, Zakharova qualified for Wimbledon and triumphed over former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka in her tournament debut. She also reached the second round of the US Open and will be looking to take the next step at the Australian Open.
