Teenager Taylah Preston has handed the hosts a 3-0 lead over Mexico after dismissing Marcela Zacarias on debut at Pat Rafter Arena.
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.”
Less than three months ago, Preston made her Grand Slam debut at Melbourne Park where she faced the daunting task of former world No.3 Elina Svitolina first up.
The West Australian admitted she felt greater pressure walking onto court on Saturday carrying the weight of her team and nation.
“Yeah even a little more nervous this morning,” she said. “I’m playing for something a lot bigger than myself, I’m playing for my team, I’m playing for my country… I don’t want to let the team down, there was a lot of what-ifs going on.
“All the girls were super supportive. They were just [saying] you’ll be fine, you deserve this. Yeah they were just really, really comforting so that was nice to have.
“Walking on the court my stomach was doing weird things. I was super nervous walking out but after a couple of games I’d loosened up a little bit and then just thought OK focus on the court, don’t try to look around too much and see everyone in the stands.
“I just tried to focus on my own things and I guess it worked.”
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…
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