Taylah Preston, a 20-year-old Australian wild card, achieved a significant milestone by securing her first Top 30 victory and advancing to her inaugural tour-level semifinal at the Hobart International. In a remarkable upset, Preston outhit top seed Emma Raducanu, clinching the match in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-4.
Ranked No. 204, Preston had only celebrated one previous tour-level win prior to this week, which took place in San Diego in 2024. She had already caused waves by defeating No. 5 seed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and Rebecca Sramkova this week. After sealing her victory against Raducanu with a beautiful forehand winner on match point, Preston expressed her delight, saying, “I’m just really happy that I’m through to the next round and get to play here again in front of everyone.”
Preston’s journey to this moment follows months of hard work to regain her form on the ITF World Tennis Tour. After a high point at 18 years old, when she reached a career-high ranking of No. 134, her ranking dipped to No. 266 by last September. She subsequently spent time competing in Australian ITF events, achieving W35 titles in places like Wagga Wagga, Darwin, and Brisbane.
In her match against Raducanu, Preston showcased impressive ball-striking, hitting 21 winners compared to Raducanu’s nine. Although Raducanu had rejuvenated her performance to come back from a deficit in her previous match, she struggled against Preston’s aggressive style, particularly after a rain delay disrupted the flow of play. The last stretch of the second set saw Preston rally after falling behind, ultimately taking the lead and securing her place in the semifinals.
As she progresses, Preston will compete against either No. 3 seed Iva Jovic, who triumphed over No. 8 seed Magda Linette in a lengthy battle, or Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who reached the semifinals after overpowering Anna Bondar 6-2, 6-2.
Cocciaretto is seeking a return to form after being a finalist in Hobart previously and will face Antonia Ruzic, who has made her first WTA semifinal appearance by defeating Olga Danilovic. The matchups promise a thrilling continuation at the Hobart International, highlighting the resilience and emerging talent present in women’s tennis.