Taylah Preston beat Marcela Zacarias 6-1 6-1 at Pat Rafter Arena to ensure the hosts booked their place in the 12-team tournament in November
Taylah Preston beat Marcela Zacarias 6-1 6-1 at Pat Rafter ArenaAustralia are through to the Billie Jean King Cup finals after 18-year-old Taylah Preston crushed Mexico’s Marcela Zacarias 6-1 6-1 at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena. Preston’s win on Saturday afternoon gave Australia an unassailable 3-0 lead in the qualifying tie.
World No 564 Zacarias rolled her ankle with Preston leading 4-1 in the first set. The Mexican was at the back of the court writhing in agony after rolling her ankle during a rally. It appeared as though the tie was about to be wrapped up there and then, but Zacarias took a medical timeout and received attention. She showed great courage to return to the match, but struggled to stretch out.
Preston demonstrated outstanding composure in her debut BJK Cup appearance. The world No 136 lost her opening service game, but then reeled off six consecutive games. The 18-year-old went after the game and hit seven forehand and backhand winners with confidence and precision in the first set after being given her opportunity in the reverse singles by captain Sam Stosur.Preston continued on her merry way in the second set to crush her gritty opponent.
On Friday, Australia’s Ariana Rodionova beat the unranked Giuliana Olmos 3-6 6-3 6-1 in just over two hours, before Daria Saville thumped Zacarias 6-1 6-0 in 51 minutes. Australia – runner-up twice in the last five years and chasing their first title since 1974 – have now booked a spot in the 12-team finals tournament to be played in November.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australia Takes Lead in Billie Jean King Cup with 2-0 Win over MexicoArina Rodionova and Daria Saville secure victories in singles matches, putting Australia on the brink of qualifying for the Billie Jean King Cup finals.
Read more »
Court to probe Nazi links to 'Hitler salute' after Australia Cup finalLawyers for three men not known to each other have denied alleged salutes made at the 2022 Australia Cup final have links to Nazi Germany.
Read more »
Camo-clad soccer fan doesn't remember doing Nazi salute after Australia Cup finalThree men have been charged for allegedly performing the salute at Parramatta&x27;s CommBank Stadium on October 1, 2022.
Read more »
Socceroos World Cup qualifying LIVE: Graham Arnold’s Socceroos face Lebanon in World Cup qualifierAustralia face Lebanon twice in the next five days and head into their third World Cup qualifier with an unblemished record, conceding no goals and scoring eight.
Read more »
Socceroos World Cup qualifying LIVE: Graham Arnold’s Socceroos face Lebanon in World Cup qualifierAustralia face Lebanon twice in the next five days and head into their third World Cup qualifier with an unblemished record, conceding no goals and scoring eight.
Read more »
Socceroos World Cup qualifying LIVE: Graham Arnold’s Socceroos face Lebanon in World Cup qualifierAustralia face Lebanon twice in the next five days and head into their third World Cup qualifier with an unblemished record, conceding no goals and scoring eight.
Read more »