Emma Raducanu's hopes of warming up for the Australian Open with a title were dashed as she lost to wild card Taylah Preston at the Hobart International.

Raducanu was the top seed in Tasmania, but she failed to make that status count in 6-2 6-4 defeat on Thursday.

Preston, who is ranked at 204 in the world by the WTA, had collected only one Tour-level victory prior to this week, yet she has now quadrupled that tally.

The 20-year-old claimed the biggest victory of her career to date – and her first over an opponent ranked in the top 30 – when Raducanu let a 40-0 lead slip as she served to stay in the match.

A rash Raducanu forehand gifted Preston a match point, and the Australian did not need a second invitation to continue her dream run.

"I don't really know what to say," said Preston. "I'm just really happy that I'm through to the next round and get to play here again in front of everyone."

The moment you realise Sabalenka and Gauff are pitted on a semifinal collision course https://t.co/tjc22nZVuk

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2026

While Preston can look forward to a semi-final, Raducanu will now turn her focus to Melbourne.

The 2021 US Open champion faces a potential tie with two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the third round. Raducanu will take on Mananchaya Sawangkaew in the first round.

Data Debrief: Raducanu's serve lets her down

Raducanu offered up nine break points, six of which Preston took, and it was a bad day for the Briton on her serve.

She won just 47% of her service points (26/55), while also committing four double faults to Preston's one.

If she is to enjoy a deep run at Melbourne Park, Raducanu – who is seeded at a major for the first time since the 2022 US Open – will need to sharpen up on serve.