Emma Raducanu lands favourable Australian Open draw with British star to play Shelby Rogers in the first round… but Andy Murray and Dan Evans could face Novak Djokovic and Wimbledon winner Carlos Alcaraz later in the tournament!
- Emma Raducanu will face Shelby Rogers in the first round of the Australian Open
- Andy Murray takes on number 30 seed Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry
- Dan Evans could face Carlos Alcaraz in the second round
Emma Raducanu trained for almost two hours on Thursday morning and was then awarded a generous draw at the Australian Open against one of the players she defeated on her way to the 2021 US Open title.
The British players could be generally happy with where they were withdrawn at the lunch ceremony, including Raducanu, who will face American Shelby Rogers.
She defeated the same player in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows during her run to the title, and Rogers has not played since Wimbledon after battling a stomach injury.
She also got married last month. Like Raducanu, Rogers entered via a protected ranking and is currently ranked #156.
The 21-year-old from Kent met compatriot Lily Miyazaki in the morning and looked perfectly fit despite withdrawing from two low-key friendlies this week.
Emma Raducanu will face Shelby Rogers in the first round of the Australian Open
Raducanu defeated Rogers (above) en route to winning the 2021 US Open title
Andy Murray was paired against number 30 seed, powerful Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry. If the Scot can get through a few rounds, there is a good chance he could face Novak Djokovic in the last 32, with the defending champion having to play a qualifier in his opening match.
Murray was beaten in three sets by the South American in late October when they last met, indoors in Basel.
Dan Evans is another player who could end up meeting one of the favorites as he will face Carlos Alcaraz if he can get past Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the first round.
Cam Norrie and Jack Draper both have a chance to progress. Norrie will face Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas, while Draper will face American Marcos Giron.
Katie Boulter got a first round match against China’s Yue Yuan, while main draw debutante Jodie Burrage will face Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch.
Andy Murray takes on number 30 seed Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Dan Evans will face Carlos Alcaraz if he can get past Lorenzo Sonego on the first lap
Djokovic, who is going for an 11th title, will be satisfied with his draw, which puts him on track to meet his late-2023 nemesis Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.
The most notable of all first-round draws pits world number one Iga Swiatek against 2020 US champion Sofia Kenin.
Great Britain’s hopes of getting some players through the qualifying tournament vanished with early defeats to Billy Harris and Ryan Peniston in the second round on Thursday.