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Brisbane, 13 April 2024 | Dan Imhoff
Teenage debutante Taylah Preston has secured Australia’s return ticket to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, sweeping past Mexico’s Marcela Zacarias 6-1 6-1 at Brisbane on Saturday.
Before more than 4000 fans at Pat Rafter Arena, the 18-year-old elevated the hosts to an unassailable 3-0 lead following Arina Rodionova’s three-set victory over Giuliana Olmos and Daria Saville’s dismissal of Zacarias on Friday.
“I’m just trying not to cry at the moment to be honest,” an emotional Preston said. “Obviously it’s a very amazing feeling. I’m very grateful to Sam [Stosur] and the team for the opportunity to play.
“I’m very lucky we have a very good team and everyone’s extremely supportive and made me feel very comfortable coming out to play today because I was a bit nervous.”
The 30-year-old Zacarias had a chance to stand alone as the most prolific match winner for Team Mexico and claimed as many games as she salvaged against Saville with a break from the off.
With retired former world No.1 Ash Barty watching on, it did not take long for Preston’s nerves to settle.
No sooner had she found her rhythm and opened up a 4-1 lead than her opponent required a medical timeout for a right lower leg injury.
After an anxious wait as to whether the Mexican would return to court, she did so following an eight-minute delay with her right ankle strapped.
Preston knew to be wary of a wounded foe with little to lose, but she maintained a cool head and broke for a sixth time for victory after 66 minutes.
“Obviously it’s not very fun when you have to play an opponent with an injury… I sort of thought focus on my side of the court, as harsh as that may sound,” Preston said. “I hope that Marcela is okay and it’s nothing too serious.”
More to come…
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