SEA Games 33 runner-up faces a tough challenge in Grand Slam debut

The 2026 Australian Open includes many competitors hailing from Southeast Asia.

After a disappointing end to 2025 and a shaky start to 2026, Emma Raducanu is set to enter the Australian Open under significant pressure from fans and experts alike. The British player is expected to show a much improved performance at Melbourne Park, especially given her draw places her in an extremely challenging section.

According to predictions, if she progresses far, Raducanu is likely to face the top seed Aryna Sabalenka as early as the third round. This will be a major test since Sabalenka is one of the leading contenders for the title. In her opening match, the former Grand Slam champion will meet a Thai opponent - Mananchaya Sawangkaew.

Currently ranked 195th in the world, Mananchaya uses a protected ranking to enter the main draw of the 2026 Australian Open. This marks the first time the 2002-born player competes in the main draw of a Grand Slam event.

Mananchaya began playing tennis at age 4 and reached her career-high ranking of No. 100 in June 2025, after reaching the second qualifying round at Roland Garros.

In 2025, Sawangkaew also made an impression by reaching the final of the WTA 125 Mumbai Open, where she lost to Jill Teichmann. However, an injury after the clay court season forced her to take a long break, returning only at the end of November.

Despite this, the 23-year-old quickly regained her form representing Thailand at the SEA Games 33 on home soil. She earned a silver medal after falling to Alex Eala in the women's singles final. Most recently, she secured a notable warm-up victory by winning the ITF W75 tournament in Nonthaburi, defeating Lisa Pigato to claim her fourth ITF singles title.

The Raducanu vs. Sawangkaew match is scheduled as the second late session match on Margaret Court Arena on January 18, following the clash between Alexander Bublik and Jenson Brooksby. The winner will face either Suzan Lamens or Anastasia Potapova in the second round.