Emma Raducanu is making a strong statement before her run for the first Grand Slam of the year, as she has reached the quarterfinal round of the 2026 Hobart International.
After battling past the former World No. 33 Colombian star and overcoming rainy weather conditions, Raducanu has expressed her joy and satisfaction in taking home her season’s first win.
Emma Raducanu on a High Note After Tasting Victory at Hobart
The World No. 29 has joined the court action after wrapping up her last season, during which she delivered notable performances sans a title. She reached the semifinal rounds at the City DC Open in singles and in doubles, partnering with Elena Rybakina.
Apart from this, she reached the quarterfinal of a WTA 1000 event at Miami for the first time, and also at Queen’s Club.
After suffering a foot injury during her offseason, which limited her training, Raducanu returned to compete in the 2026 United Cup tournament. There, she faced defeat at the hands of Greece’s Maria Sakkari, as Britain lost to Greece and was eliminated.
However, the 23-year-old didn’t let her hopes crash early, as she entered the Hobart International as the top seed.
In her round of 32, she has surpassed Camila Osorio, with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-6(2), despite facing breaks due to rain. Against the Colombian, Raducanu has registered her career’s second win, as the duo also clashed once in 2022 in the round of 16 at the Washington, D.C. event.
After the match, Raducanu expressed her joy and contentment for clinching a notable win after coming back from an injury, adding:
“It was tough because we were suspended at 15–30 and then again just a few points later. It’s hard to warm up and cool down so many times, but coming back overnight and serving at deuce, you have to be incredibly sharp. I’m very proud of how I managed that situation. It’s not something I have really experienced before, so I’m glad to have handled it well.”
She further continued, mentioning the significance of her win, “Now it’s about recovering well, freshening up, and getting ready for tomorrow. This win is incredibly important for me. I haven’t played much over the last few months, so getting a win early in the year, especially heading into the Australian Open, means a lot.”
For the quarterfinals, the British star will face off against 20-year-old Australian player Taylah Preston, marking their first career meeting. The latter also competed in the women’s doubles, partnering with Talia Gibson, losing the quarterfinal to Magali Kempen and Anna Siskova.
