Emma Raducanu is hoping to start 2026 strong as the Australian Open begins. The 23-year-old is ranked 28th in the tournament and will not face another seeded player until the third round in Melbourne.
Qualifying matches have already begun, with many players looking to repeat Raducanu’s career-defining victory at the 2021 US Open. The British ace made it through qualifying and ultimately won a major title at Flushing Meadows while still a teenager. Being seeded should theoretically make it easier for Raducanu, who is currently competing at the Hobart International, to advance at the Australian Open. But there are some names the young star wants to avoid if he’s looking to start the new year on a positive note. here, express sports Let’s take a look at the opponents that could be a nightmare draw for Raducanu.
sloane stevens
Sloane Stephens is the only Grand Slam champion currently qualifying. The 32-year-old won the US Open in 2017, but has seen her ranking plummet in recent years due to injuries.
Qualifiers must win three matches to advance to the main tournament. Stevens defeated Barbora Palikova in the first round and will face a tough test against Australia’s Olivia Gadecki in her next match.
The American was ranked as high as No. 3 in 2018, but after taking a long break from competitive activities, he started this year at No. 1,098 in the world. But Raducanu may want to avoid the former Australian Open semi-finalist as he looks to recapture past glory.
katie bolter
Fellow Briton Katie Boulter will be an unlucky opponent for Raducanu in the opening round. If they are drawn, British fans will definitely have one less person to cheer for.
Bolter was originally scheduled to participate in the qualifying round, but it was later changed to the main event. Although there was some initial confusion when the qualifying matches were first announced, she was the first alternate and benefited from player withdrawals.
The 29-year-old reached the second round at last year’s Australian Open as the 22nd seed. Although she is no longer ranked in the top 100 due to her battle with injuries and decline in form, Boulter remains a formidable early opponent for any fighter in the main draw.
Anastasia Zakharova
The 23-year-old was the top seed in the preliminary round but was promoted to the main draw after other players withdrew from the tournament. Anastasia Zakurova has reached number 79 in the world rankings and is a big threat to Raducanu and other star players.
The Russian has yet to win a title on the WTA Tour, but he has had success in 16 ITF tournaments. She reached the main draw of a major for the first time at the 2024 Australian Open, reaching the third round.
Last year, Zakharova proved herself by defeating a top 30 player for the first time in her career. At Queen’s, she had a surprise victory over world No. 21 Donna Vekic, but lost to Madison Keys in the next round.
Encouraged by her success, Zakharova qualified for Wimbledon, defeating former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in her tournament debut. She also reached the second round at the US Open and is aiming to take the next step at the Australian Open.