Emma Raducanu closes in on Australian Open main draw after Petra Kvitova pregnancy news

Emma Raducanu made her return to tennis with victory at the ASB Classic after nine months out, but it could be further good news for the former US Open champion who is now only one player away from not having to play qualifying next week at the Australian Open.

Petra Kvitova is officially out of the list for the 2024 Australian Open and so Raducanu is the next alternate as Tamara Zidansek has taken her spot in the Entry List. The Brit would have to go to Melbourne next week to aim to seal her spot.

After it looked very much unlikely that Raducanu would strike it lucky, it has been a double Czech withdrawal which has prompted this with Karolina Muchova out with injury and Petra Kvitova being pregnant and so is out likely for the remainder of the season at least.

Those who could be in doubt still supposedly are Madison Keys and Lauren Davis, with the former withdrawing from Brisbane this week so it is unsure whether she will play. But at the very least, she would be top seed for qualifying and any late withdrawals would see her benefit.

Some believe though that she should play qualifying after such a long time out with the need for matches. She will play a tough tie next in Auckland with Elina Svitolina next up who was the WTA Comeback Player of the Year and was in stellar form during 2023 looking good too against Caroline Wozniacki.