Taylah Preston fights back to advance to quarters at Workday Canberra International

Australian wildcard entrant Taylah Preston has fought back from a set down to defeat Canada’s Marina Stakusic, the world no. 125.

The 19-year-old had jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the opening set only to see the Canadian break back in the fourth game to level the set at 2-2.

Stakusic broke again after a Preston double-fault, to lead 4-2.

Preston broke back with the Canadian serving at 5-3. Stakusic played a lucky volley that ballooned off her racquet and landed deep on the sideline. Preston retrieved the mis-hit only to hit long on a break-point.

Stakusic taking the opening set 6-4, a set that saw five breaks of serve with Stakusic converting 3 from 3 and Preston 2 from five break point opportunities.

Games went with serve early in the second set with Preston taken to deuce in the fourth game before seeing Stakusic hit into the on the server advantage point for 2-2.

In another tight game it was Stakusic also needing advantage to escape the game.

At 3-3 in the second set, Preston converted a break point when her 20-year-old opponent hit well over the baseline. Preston would consolidate the break, but again after a hard fought game.

As Preston did in the first set, a double fault on break point gave the Australian the second set, Preston did that despite serving 5 double faults.

After Stakusic was perfect on break point opportunities in the first set, she was 0-6 in the second set, with Preston converting 2 of 5.

Preston again had a long game in the first game of the third set, but hit a forehand winner to go to 1-0.

Stakusic needed an advantage point to claim the second game, that would be the last she would win in the match.

As was often seen a game went to advantage in the third game for Preston to hold and lead 2-1. Another long game and Preston got the break to lead 3-1. A hold of serve, again after seeing deuce and it was 4-1 after the Canadian hit wide.

Preston broke to love in the sixth game to lead 5-1 and then won the next game without too much trouble to claim the win.

After serving at 50% in the first set, Preston improved to serve at 60% for the match. The worrying stat was 11 double faults.

The final score was 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Preston faces world no. 147 from the Philippines, Alexandra Eala in the quarter finals.

Australia’s other round two participant Petra Hule lost convincingly to former world no. 37 Nina Stojanovic from Serbia. Stojanovic, currently ranked at no. 210 won the match 6-2, 6-3.

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