Hobart International: Emma Raducano loses to Tayla Preston in the quarter-finals

Emma Raducano’s preparations for the Australian Open were dealt a major blow when world number 204 Tayla Preston stunned her at the Hobart International.

Raducano, Britain’s top seed, was the top seed at the event, her last tournament before the first Grand Slam of the year begins on Sunday.

But she will travel to Melbourne with only one win after losing 6-2, 6-4 in the quarter-finals to Australian Preston.

Raducanu was particularly inconsistent with her serve, committing four double faults and holding just three of her nine service games.

She was twice as wide in both sets, but was unable to press her advantage in another rain-affected match.

After trailing 4-2 in the first set, coach Francisco Roig could be heard urging her to “let it go” and “not to be so fixed.”

However, she was unable to serve to stay in the set, hitting a backhand winner into the net to give her opponent the lead.

Raducano struggled again at the start of the second set, telling Roig that Preston’s shots were coming at her “too quickly,” but she was able to take a 3-1 lead.

However, they lost their next three service matches in a row as Preston progressed to the semi-finals.