Hobart International: Emma Raducanu loses to Tyra Preston in quarter-finals

Emma Raducanu’s Australian Open preparations were dealt a blow when she was stunned by world number 204 Taylah Preston at the Hobart International.

Britain’s No. 1 Raducanu is the top seed at the tournament, her last match before her first Grand Slam of the year on Sunday.

However, she will head to Melbourne with a win after losing 6-2 6-4 to Australia’s Preston in the quarter-finals.

Raducanu’s serve was particularly inconsistent, double-faulting four times and holding serve in just three of her nine service games.

She was broken twice in both sets but was unable to take advantage in another rain-affected match.

Trailing 4-2 in the first set, coach Francisco Roig could be heard urging her to “let it rip” and “don’t stand still.”

However, she failed to hold on to the handicap and instead put a backhand into the net to give her opponent the lead.

Raducanu struggled again at the start of the second set, telling Roeg that Preston was hitting the ball “too fast,” but she managed to build a 3-1 lead.

However, she lost her next three service games and Preston advanced to the semifinals.