"Emma Raducanu's hopes of a smoother Australian Open run have been dashed by another potential third-round match against world number one Aryna Sabalenka. British number one Raducanu is seeded at a major for the first time since the 2022 US Open but has been pitted against the top seed at the earliest opportunity. The 23-year-old will face Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew in her opening match, with Austria's Anastasia Potopova or Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands waiting in the second round."
"Two-time winner Sabalenka starts against French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, while defending champion Madison Keys - who beat Sabalenka in last year's final - plays Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova. In the men's draw, Italy's two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner gets his bid under way against French world number 94 Hugo Gaston. Second seed Sinner cannot face his rival Carlos Alcaraz until the final, with the pair having met in the trophy matches at the past three majors."
Emma Raducanu is seeded 28th at the Australian Open and will open against Mananchaya Sawangkaew, with Anastasia Potopova or Suzan Lamens possible in round two. A potential third-round meeting with world number one Aryna Sabalenka looms early in the draw. Sabalenka begins against French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, while defending champion Madison Keys faces Oleksandra Oliynykova. In the men's draw, two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner plays Hugo Gaston and cannot meet Carlos Alcaraz until the final; Sinner shares a half with Novak Djokovic and could meet him in the semifinals. Raducanu has struggled for consistency since 2021 but has improved fitness and resilience; her recent Grand Slam defeats came against top-ranked stars.
Read at www.bbc.com
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