British number one Emma Raducanu admitted on Wednesday she is wary of her second-round opponent Anastasia Potapova at the Australian Open.
Raducanu was unimpressed as he was scheduled to play his opener in the Sunday night session, but the positive was that he won the following. Thailand World No. 195 Mananchaya Sawangkau 6-4 6-1She has two days to prepare for her second-round match against Potapova.
Although she had never competed before, Radukanu had long known the talent of the Russian-turned-Austrian and said: “I remember watching Anastasia from the juniors. I was a year below her.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch Anastasia Potapova against Mira Andreeva at last year’s US Open.
“She has always been the player to dominate and watch over the younger players. She is also ranked very highly in the pros. She is a pinch hitter. I know it will be a really tricky match. We just have to pull together and prepare as best as we can.”
Among the crowd will be Raducanu super fan James Bray. James Bray nicknamed her ‘Raddo’ and thanked her after cheering her loudly against Sawangkaew.
he said Herald Sun: “Her agent contacted me. I have tickets for the next match and I hope she gets to the Grand Slam finals, because I want to go to Rod Laver Arena.”
Raducanu supported Draper as he emerged stronger from a long injury layoff.
Raducanu is a former world no. 4 Helped Jack Draper make a stronger return from injury.
Fellow British No.1 Jack Draper has played only one match since Wimbledon due to a bone bruise in his left arm. He failed to recover in time for the start of this season.
The 24-year-old was due to team up with Radukanu in the 2026 United Cup before playing in the Australian Open, but is instead planning to return in the Davis Cup match against Norway next month.
“I’ve been seeing him all through December and I think he almost came out here,” Radukanu said.
“Obviously his injury has been going on for a while and it hasn’t been easy, but I’m sure when he comes back he will bounce back and get better and stronger, as he always does. We missed him in the United Cup, but I really hope we can both be successful next year.”
Radukanu can empathize with Draper, who won three Grand Slams, including Wimbledon in 2023, after undergoing surgery on both wrists and one ankle.
“It’s really difficult,” she said. “When I missed a Grand Slam, I couldn’t watch it because it was so raw and hard to watch.
“I don’t know what he’s doing, but it’s really difficult and I don’t think it’s going to be easy, but I know that trying to do the right things every day and trying to stay within your own zone, your bubble, is the best way to get through it.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Draper and Jessica Pegula put on an unforgettable US Open mixed doubles match against Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz.
Raducanu was a doubt for the Australian Open after foot problems left him unable to keep up throughout pre-season, but he recovered in time and overcame a slow start to win his opening match against Sawangkaew in Melbourne.
The former US Open champion was quick to warn against having too high expectations for Draper, citing his experience returning from injury. “The most difficult thing is seeing the ball and moving it.
“It’s something you take for granted when you’ve played a few games and have good momentum. You seem to read the ball earlier, read the play, read situations and play big points better.
“If you don’t play, you feel two steps slower and it’s very difficult to get that movement and anticipation back.”
Watch the ATP and WTA Tour live on Sky Sports or stream with the NOW and Sky Sports apps, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50% more live sport at no additional cost this year. Find out more here.
