West Australian Taylah Preston wanted simply 48 minutes to see off former top-25 participant German Mona Barthel, progressing to the second spherical of Australian Open 2025 qualifying.
Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 6 January 2025 | Jackson Mansell
West Australian Taylah Preston has emphatically superior to the second spherical of Australian Open qualifying, prevailing in opposition to German Mona Barthel 6-1 6-2.
The 19-year-old wanted simply 48 minutes to defeat the previous top-25 participant, inching nearer to her first Grand Slam as a qualifier.
“She is a good participant, and she or he has had nice success in her profession being [a former] prime 30 [player],” Preston mentioned. “She’s bought lots of expertise and I’m nonetheless attempting to get extra expertise.
RESULTS: Australian Open qualifying (Day 1)
“It was a bit difficult to get right into a rhythm within the match, due to the way in which that Mona performs. She hits onerous and there aren’t lots of rallies taking place, the courts are fairly vigorous on the market. Simply sticking to [my plan] as a lot as I may and discovering my approach as a lot as I may.”
First winner of #AO2025 🙌
Australian rising star Taylah Preston progresses with a win within the girls’s singles qualifying. pic.twitter.com/C3WIQ8iEKK
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 6, 2025
Preston utilized stress from the outset as she attacked Barthel’s second serve. The world No.172 received simply three of 24 second-serve factors, as Preston’s backhand proved deadly.
The Aussie capitalised on all of her break level possibilities, going an ideal four-from-four for the competition.
“I’m at all times attempting to be aggressive the place I can, I believe that’s simply a part of the sport plan going into each match,” she mentioned. “If I get a take a look at a second serve, then [I can] begin to take management of the rally there.”
The teen is aiming to make her first Grand Slam most important draw as a qualifier, after wildcards at each hard-court majors in 2024.
Preston will subsequent face third seed Harriet Dart, who defeated Aussie Lizette Cabrera in straight units.
“It could imply actually every little thing actually, I actually wish to qualify right here,” Preston mentioned. “It’s a large objective of mine, however I’m going to take it one level at a time.”
Fellow Australians Alex Bolt, Tina Smith and Melisa Ercan all fell in first-round qualifying matches on Monday at Melbourne Park.
