Raducanu cruises through at Australian Open

Emma Raducanu might be a Grand Slam champion but she still finds herself entering relatively unknown territory from time to time.

The challenge she faced with her Australian Open first-round match against Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew was a rare late start.

But it ended up being a relatively early finish — at least by Melbourne Park standards — as the British number one grew in confidence to wrap up a 6-4 6-1 victory before 11pm local time.

Raducanu had only previously played one other night match at a major. That was the 2021 US Open semi-final, on her way to the title which she will forever be remembered for.

So the 23-year-old had to think carefully about how to tailor her routine and started her day with a "potter around" Melbourne's bustling riverside area.

"I had a very chill breakfast, walked around for 45 minutes, walked back, had treatment, a chat with the team, then took a nap and came in," she explained.

"I came in [to Melbourne Park] at 5:30pm, started with my routines and practised at 6pm.

"I'm a night owl, but not to play."

Raducanu arrived on court shortly after 9pm, growing in confidence after a sluggish start where errors flew off her racquet.