Preston Upsets Top Seed Raducanu in Hobart for Career-Defining Victory
A thrilling match at the Hobart International saw Australian wild card Taylah Preston achieve a significant career milestone by upsetting top seed Emma Raducanu. The match concluded with Preston triumphing 6-2, 6-4, advancing to her first WTA Tour semifinal. This victory not only showcases Preston’s talent but also marks her first Top 30 win, as Raducanu is currently ranked No. 29 in the world.
Taylah Preston: A Rising Star
At just 20 years old and ranked No. 204 in the world, Preston demonstrated remarkable skill throughout the match, hitting 21 winners compared to Raducanu’s nine. This victory is particularly noteworthy as Preston had only experienced one previous tour-level win prior to this week, during the San Diego tournament in 2024.
Before defeating Raducanu, Preston had also ousted No. 5 seed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Rebecca Sramkova, indicating a dramatic improvement in her performance. “I’m just really happy that I’m through to the next round,” said Preston after sealing the match with a stunning forehand winner.
A Journey of Resilience
This achievement comes after months of dedication to restoring her form on the ITF World Tennis Tour. Preston briefly reached a career high of No. 134 but had fallen to No. 266 by September. Over the autumn, she competed in various Australian ITF events, securing W35 titles in Wagga Wagga, Darwin, and Brisbane.
Match Recap: Preston vs. Raducanu
The match started after a rain delay that shifted the momentum. Initially, Raducanu showed promise after an overnight postponement, having won her previous match against Camila Osorio. However, as play resumed, Raducanu struggled with unforced errors, allowing Preston to break serve twice.
In the second set, Raducanu regained focus and went up a break. However, Preston quickly leveled the score at 3-3 with a series of impressive shots. The decisive moment came when Raducanu served to stay in the match but faltered, giving Preston the opportunity to convert her match point.
Upcoming Semifinals
Preston will move forward to face the winner of the match between Iva Jovic and Magda Linette. Jovic advanced by defeating Linette in a tight match that lasted until after midnight local time.
Elisabetta Cocciaretto Returns to Semifinals
Earlier in the tournament, Elisabetta Cocciaretto demonstrated dominance in her quarterfinal against Anna Bondar, winning 6-2, 6-2. This victory marks Cocciaretto’s first hard-court semifinal since reaching the final in Hobart in 2023.
Cocciaretto effectively broke Bondar four times throughout the match, capitalizing on her opponent’s errors. The Italian star will face Antonia Ruzic, who reached her first WTA semifinal by defeating Olga Danilovic.
Key Takeaways
- Taylah Preston upsets top seed Emma Raducanu 6-2, 6-4.
- This is Preston’s first semifinal appearance on the WTA Tour.
- Raducanu ranked No. 29, while Preston is ranked No. 204.
- Cocciaretto continues her strong performance, winning against Anna Bondar.
- Upcoming semifinals feature Preston vs. Jovic and Cocciaretto vs. Ruzic.
As the Hobart International progresses, fans can look forward to more surprises as Preston and Cocciaretto strive for victory in their respective semifinal matches.
