It was a successful day one at the Australian Open for British players as Emma Raducanu, Cam Norrie and qualifier Arthur Fery secured wins in the first round.
Raducanu did not let a late start to her first-round tie against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew as she grew in confidence during a 6-4, 6-1 win, overcoming a sloppy opening to eventually secure a comfortable win.
The 23-year-old is seed at a major for the first time since her US Open victory in 2021 but started slugglishly as her opponent to go a double break ahead early in the first set.
But the Brit eventually composed herself, reeling off seven consecutive game wins to turn the match in her favour and see out the win.
Raducanu will face Austrian Anastasia Potapova next, with world number one Aryna Sabalenka potentially lying in wait in the third round.
Fery claims huge shock
But perhaps the biggest story of the day came from qualifier Fery, who caused the first real shock of the Australian Open 2026 by beating 20th-seed Flavio Cobolli.
Fery, ranked 186 in the world, equalled the biggest win of his career by winning in straight sets (7-6, 6-4, 6-1), having also beaten 20th-seed Alexei Popyrin at this stage of Wimbledon last year.
Cobolli had been struggling with a stomach issue during the match, running off set at the end of the first set for a toilet break, and Fery’s dominance continued to secure a famous win.
“It seems I like drawing 20th seeds at Grand Slams,” Fery joked afterwards. “I love playing on big courts and big stages.”
Fery will play Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round.
Norrie holds firm to progress
Norrie had to dig deep in his first-round match as he came through with a win over Benjamin Bonzi in five sets.
Norrie, seeded for the first time since the 2024 French Open, beat the Frenchman 6-0 6-7 (2-7) 4-6 6-3 6-4 in an entertaining clash in front of a pumped-up crowd.
The 30-year-old is set to be Britain’s leading man in the absence of Jack Draper and started strongly by winning the first set in barely 20 minutes, but from there Bonzi raised his level.
Norrie looked in serious trouble when Bonzi took the third set but he showed plenty of grit and determination to stay in the game and eventually win in five sets and set up a tie against American Emilio Nava in the second round.
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