EMMA RADUCANU’s hopes of a deep run at the Australian Open were dealt a huge blow by another cruel draw.
If it is not frequent injuries that cause Raducanu trouble, then it is her rotten luck when it comes to tennis Slams.
Last year, she came up against WTA powerhouse Iga Swiatek twice, Aryna Sabalenka and then Elena Rybakina in the early rounds.
And even though she is now seeded for the Oz Open, she may have to prepare for a meeting with world No.1 Sabalenka in round three in Melbourne.
Raducanu, who is the 28th-best ranked female in the 128-player field, must be cursing her fortune and wondering if she will ever catch a break when the draws are made.
Even though she pushed two-time Aussie Open champion Sabalenka close on Wimbledon’s Centre Court last year, she has not been handed a favourable passage through the Happy Slam.
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Her first assignment will be against Thailand rookie Mananchaya Sawangkaew, who has a protected ranking but is appearing at a major for the first time.
In round two, Dutchwoman Suzan Lamens or Russian Anastasia Potapova, who now represents Austria, would await.
Sonay Kartal will not be intimidated facing Russian No.31 seed Anna Kalinskaya in their first meeting but like Raducanu, in round three, she may have to tackle a big gun.
That is because her likely challenge will come from world No.2 and Wimbledon champion Swiatek.
Katie Boulter – who has suffered a huge fall from grace to world No.113 since being the 22nd seed 12 months ago – is up against Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, the No.10 seed.
Elsewhere for the British women, Fran Jones plays Polish qualifier Linda Klimovicova.
America’s defending champion Madison Keys will open up against Oleksandra Oliynykova from Ukraine.
For the British men, it was a fairly uneventful draw with Cameron Norrie, the 26th seed, playing Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi.
Arthur Fery, who came through three rounds of qualifying, was handed a meeting with Italian No.20 seed Flavio Cobolli.
And Jacob Fearnley starts his campaign with Pole Kamil Majchrzak.
Two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner was paired with France’s Hugo Gaston in round one while Carlos Alcaraz – still searching for the Career Grand Slam – plays Australian Adam Walton first up.
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