Emma Raducanu won’t need to go through qualifying matches for the Australian Open since she has advanced to the main draw.

Emma Raducanu, the 21-year-old British tennis sensation, has had an eventful journey leading up to the Australian Open. Despite slipping to No 301 in the world rankings and not having a good enough protected ranking for direct entry into the tournament, Raducanu received a stroke of luck as she gained entry into the main draw due to American Lauren Davis’ withdrawal with a shoulder injury. This turn of events spared Raducanu from having to navigate the challenging qualifying rounds, reminiscent of her remarkable 2021 Flushing Meadows run where she clinched the title after starting out in the qualifiers.

Following her return to competitive tennis after a prolonged hiatus due to wrist and ankle surgeries, Raducanu expressed her shock and elation at making a winning return by defeating Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse at the ASB Classic in Auckland. Her impressive victory sets the stage for her upcoming last-16 tie against second seed Elina Svitolina, a match that she is now able to focus on without the looming prospect of qualifiers for the Australian Open.

Moreover, Raducanu’s situation has been further bolstered by several other withdrawals, including those of Karolina Muchova, Petra Kvitova, Irina-Camelia Begu, and Caty McNally, which opened up additional spots in the main draw. With the Australian Open set to commence on January 14, Raducanu has a valuable opportunity to showcase her talent on the global stage once again, thanks to the turn of events that have favored her entry into the esteemed tournament.