Emma Raducanu’s preparations for the 2026 Australian Open have suffered a significant setback after she was defeated by world number 204 Taylah Preston in the quarter-finals of the Hobart International.
The British number one entered the tournament as the top seed and was looking to gain momentum ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne. However, Raducanu fell 6-2 6-4 to the young Australian, leaving her with just one competitive win under her belt ahead of the Australian Open 2026.
Raducanu Struggles With Serve and Consistency
Raducanu’s inconsistency on serve proved costly throughout the match. She committed four double faults and held serve in just three of her nine service games. Despite being twice a break up in both sets, she was unable to convert her advantage in what became a rain-affected contest.
Coach Francisco Roig could be heard urging Raducanu to “let it rip” and “don’t be static” during the first set, but the Briton struggled to find her rhythm, ultimately giving Preston the crucial opening. After trailing 4-2 in the opening set, a backhand into the net surrendered the lead and allowed the Australian to close out the set.
Raducanu also faced difficulties in the second set. She managed to build a 3-1 lead and seemed to be finding her footing, commenting to Roig that Preston’s shots were “so fast.” Yet, she lost her next three consecutive service games, allowing Preston to advance to the semi-finals with a straight-sets victory.
Raducanu’s Off-Season and Form Concerns
The Hobart defeat highlights the challenges Raducanu has faced in recent months. Since her 2021 US Open triumph, she has struggled to find consistency, with no titles or finals appearances since her historic win. Her off-season was disrupted by a foot injury, and she showed signs of rust during a loss to Maria Sakkari in her opening match of the season.
At Hobart, Raducanu did manage a first-round victory over Camila Osorio, but her limited match play means she heads to Melbourne with only three competitive outings in 2026. Experts and fans alike will be watching closely to see if she can regain confidence ahead of her Australian Open campaign.
Australian Open 2026 Draw and Potential Challenges
Raducanu will begin her Australian Open campaign against Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, seeded in the lower section of the draw. A potential third-round clash against world number one Aryna Sabalenka could provide a stern test if she progresses.
Despite the Hobart setback, Raducanu remains Britain’s top female tennis player and retains the talent and firepower to make a deep run in Melbourne. However, the defeat to a player ranked outside the top 200 will raise questions about her form and readiness for the first Grand Slam of the year.
What the Loss Means
Raducanu’s early exit from Hobart is a stark reminder of the competitive depth in women’s tennis, where even lower-ranked players can upset top seeds. With the Australian Open set to begin this weekend, Raducanu will need to focus on regaining rhythm, confidence, and match sharpness to contend with the world’s best.
While the loss is disappointing, it also gives her time to regroup and refine her game before facing the physical and mental demands of the Slam. Fans will be eager to see whether the 20-year-old can shake off the rust and challenge for another major title.
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