Emma Raducanu suffers quarter-final defeat at Hobart International
Emma Raducanu’s preparations for the Australian Open have taken a worrying turn after she fell to a surprise quarter-final defeat at the Hobart International, losing 6-2, 6-4 to Australia’s Taylah Preston, ranked just 217th in the world, reports BritPanorama.
This result is concerning for the 23-year-old, who now heads to Melbourne having recorded only a single victory since September. That lone win came against Camila Osorio in the opening round at Hobart, a match that stretched over two days due to rain delays.
Raducanu’s serving proved particularly troublesome against the powerful Preston, as she committed four double faults and managed to hold serve in just three of her nine service games. The contest faced interruptions from rain after only three games, and when play resumed, her game was riddled with errors.
Despite initially building a 3-1 lead in the second set, Raducanu could not maintain her momentum, dropping three service games in succession to hand Preston the victory in just 85 minutes. With her focus now shifting to Melbourne Park, she will be the 28th seed when the main draw commences on Sunday.
In her opening match, Raducanu faces Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, with potential encounters against Anastasia Potapova or Suzan Lamens looming in round two. A possible third-round challenge against world number one Aryna Sabalenka could await, as the pair previously met at the same stage of Wimbledon last year, where Raducanu put up a strong fight before ultimately losing.
Former British number one Tim Henman expressed confidence in Raducanu’s talent despite her recent struggles, noting that if she can build her fitness, a strong showing in Melbourne is plausible. “To me, there’s no question about her tennis ability,” he said, emphasizing the potential for Raducanu to reach the second week of the Australian Open.
As she prepares for what lies ahead, her resilience will be tested once more on the international stage. For Raducanu, the journey forward is not just about reclaiming form but also navigating the inevitable pressure and expectations that come with being a former champion in a sport where every point can pivot a narrative. The coming days in Melbourne will reveal just how she handles that challenge.
