Emma Raducanu, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva, three of the WTA’s brightest stars, all made winning starts at the 2026 Australian Open. While Raducanu and Gauff secured straight-set victories against the likes of Manachaya Sawangkaew and Kamilla Rakhimova, Andreeva had to come back from a set down to win against Donna Vekić.
Let us have a look at the matchups lined-up for these three players in the second round of the 2026 Australian Open.
Emma Raducanu Takes on Anastasia Potapova At the Australian Open
Since her title run at the 2021 US Open, Emma Raducanu has not made it past the fourth round at any of the Grand Slams. Being seeded at a Slam after a long time, the British player got an impressive start in Melbourne this year, winning 6-4, 6-1 against Sawangkaew. She faces former World No. 21 Anastasia Potapova, who overcame a 3-6, 1-5 deficit, to win against Suzan Lamens in the first round.
This will be the first meeting between the two players, and the match has the potential to be a close one as depicted by the PFSN Simulator, which puts Raducanu’s chances of winning at 51 percent. The British player won 73 percent of her first serve points and converted all four of her break point opportunities in her opening match. On the other hand, Potapova broke her opponent’s serve seven times in the match in her incredible comeback and did not face a single break point in the deciding set.
For Raducanu, her first serve percentage will be key as her opponent has an effective return game. On the other hand, Potapova needs to start well as it will be difficult for her overcome a deficit once again if she gives a player like Raducanu a headstart. Being the seeded player, the British player should come through this match.
Pick- Raducanu to win in three sets
Coco Gauff Faces Olga Danilović
Gauff was in no peril in the first round, as she started with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 win over Kamilla Rakhimova. Danilović had to overcome adversity in her match, as she reversed a 0-4 deficit in the final set against Venus Williams, winning the match 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4.
More: Coco Gauff Faces Serbian Player Olga Danilović, Who Crushed Venus Williams’ Hopes at Australian Open
This will be the first meeting between the two players, but Gauff has an 86 percent win probability as shown by the PFSN Simulator. The American may have won with a dominant scoreline, but that performance included seven double faults and 31 unforced errors in only two sets while hitting 20 winners. On the other hand, Danilović had only one double fault in her match and hit 34 winners alongside 38 unforced errors in three sets against Williams.
Gauff needs to be on her toes against someone like Danilović, as the Serb can get in a match given the slightest sniff. The American needs to take care of her serving problem, whereas Danilović needs to attack as many second serves as she can. While serving, she should use the body serve more than slice one, as Gauff has the athletic ability to cover the wide lines. The number of times each player comes to the net will also determine the winner, which, by the seeding, should be Gauff.
Pick- Gauff to win in straight sets
Mirra Andreeva Faces Maria Sakkari Threat
Mirra Andreeva’s been given a tough draw, facing someone of the calibre of Donna Vekić in the first round. The Russian was thrown off slightly by the Croatian’s power in the first set, but as the match went on, she asserted her dominance, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-0. She faces former top-10 player Maria Sakkari, who won her first match 6-4, 6-2 against Léolia Jeanjean.
This is the first meeting between the two players, with Andreeva having a 67 percent win probability as per the PFSN Simulator. In her match against Vekić, Andreeva won 67 percent of her first serve points in the first set. She improved the stat as the match went on, winning 83 percent and 100 percent of her first serve points in the next two sets, respectively. On the other hand, Sakkari had a dominant serving show in her previous match, where the Greek player dropped only one point behind her second serve.
Serving numbers, especially the second serve stats, will be key in determining the winner in the match. Sakkari, who was impressive at the United Cup, has shown some signs of her old form in her previous match. Andreeva, meanwhile, enters the Australian Open as the champion in Adelaide. She has been one of the top players in the world over the past year and should be able to get through this round.
Pick- Andreeva to win in straight sets
