Potapova’s persistence ends Raducanu’s Melbourne campaign, Sabalenka next
Anastasia Potapova beat Emma Raducanu 7-6 (3), 6-2 on Wednesday and will play Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed, in the next round
Anastasia Potapova, Australia 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz
Anastasia Potapova delivered another masterclass in resilience on Wednesday night, overcoming a first-set deficit to upset 28th seed Emma Raducanu in straight sets. The 7-6(3), 6-2 victory marks Potapova’s first third-round appearance at the Australian Open since 2021, setting up a blockbuster clash with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Anastasia Potapova’s path to the third round has been defined by a refusal to go quietly. Following a miraculous first-round escape where she trailed Suzan Lamens 3-6, 1-5, the world No. 54 once again found herself against the ropes in the opening set against Emma Raducanu. Trailing 3-5, Potapova shifted into a higher gear, breaking the Briton’s serve and forcing a tiebreak she would ultimately dominate 7-3.
“Her grit this week has been remarkable,” noted observers as she dismantled Raducanu in a clinical 6-2 second set. The loss marks a premature exit for the 28th-seeded Raducanu, who had arrived in Melbourne showing flashes of the aggressive baseline game that defined her 2021 US Open run.
However, the Brit was unable to find an answer for Potapova’s relentless court coverage and tactical variety once the momentum shifted late in the first set.
Raducanu’s missed opportunity
The victory carries significant historical weight for Potapova, marking her first Grand Slam third-round appearance since 2024 and her best result in Melbourne in five years. “It’s about staying in the moment,” Potapova reflected after her latest comeback. For Raducanu, the exit represents a missed opportunity to test herself against the tournament favorite, as she remains ranked at world No. 29 following a season start that has seen both promising wins and sudden halts.
Potapova now advances to face top seed Aryna Sabalenka, who secured her own passage with a dominant win over Zhuoxuan Bai earlier in the evening. Given Potapova’s recent history of overturning massive deficits, the encounter promises to be the first major test for the world No. 1 in the 2026 draw.
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