If you were expecting a quiet Thursday in the tennis world, Hobart just threw a massive wrench into those plans. Emma Raducanu, the top seed and heavy favorite to build some serious momentum before Melbourne, just crashed out.
It wasn't just a loss. It was a 6-2, 6-4 dismantling at the hands of Taylah Preston, a 20-year-old Australian wildcard ranked No. 204 in the world. Preston didn't just win; she owned the court. For anyone tracking who won today in tennis, this is the result that’s going to dominate the headlines because it completely changes the vibe heading into the first Grand Slam of 2026.
The Hobart Shocker: Preston vs. Raducanu
Let’s be real: Raducanu looked unsettled. The weather in Hobart was doing her no favors—rain delays are a mental grind—but Preston handled the stop-and-start nature of the match like a veteran. When they finally stayed on court for more than ten minutes, the young Aussie played bold, flat tennis that Raducanu simply couldn't answer.
Raducanu's unforced error count was, frankly, painful to watch. She was spraying balls from both wings, and while she tried to mount a comeback in the second set, Preston never blinked. It’s the fourth-worst loss of Raducanu’s career based on ranking. If you're a British tennis fan, you've gotta be feeling a little nervous about that first-round date with Mananchaya Sawangkaew in Melbourne.
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Other Key Winners from Thursday, January 15
While the Hobart upset is the "big" news, plenty of other heavy hitters were busy locking in their spots or finishing off tune-ups:
- Novak Djokovic looked sharp in an exhibition against Frances Tiafoe, winning 6-3, 6-4. Despite those whispers about a neck injury earlier in the week, he moved well.
- Victoria Mboko continued her absolute tear, taking down the defending Adelaide champion Madison Keys in a gritty 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 battle.
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina cruised past Rinky Hijikata 6-3, 6-2 in Adelaide.
- Tommy Paul handled Reilly Opelka in straight sets (6-4, 6-4), looking like he's found his rhythm on the quicker hard courts.
- Marcos Giron is through to the semis in Auckland after outlasting Luciano Darderi.
The Australian Open Draw: Winners and Losers
We can't talk about who won today in tennis without mentioning the "victory" of a favorable draw. The 2026 Australian Open bracket was officially revealed today, and it is a certified mess for some of the home favorites.
Alex de Minaur basically pulled the short straw. He’s got Matteo Berrettini in the first round. Yeah, Berrettini isn't at his 2021 peak, but he’s still a human flamethrower when his serve is on. If the "Demon" survives that, he’s likely looking at Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
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The Sinner-Djokovic Collision Course
The biggest takeaway from today's draw? Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are in the same half. This is massive. It means we won't get a repeat of a Sinner-Djokovic final. Instead, they are projected to meet in the semi-finals. Sinner has won their last few big encounters, including that 2024 semi-final run, but you never, ever bet against Novak when he’s chasing Slam #25.
On the other side, Carlos Alcaraz has a relatively clear path, though drawing the big-hitting Gabriel Diallo or a potential matchup with Zverev later on isn't exactly a walk in the park.
Why the "One Point Slam" is the Talk of Melbourne
While the pros were grinding, an amateur named Jordan Smith basically became a folk hero today. In the "1 Point Slam" exhibition at Rod Laver Arena, he actually beat Jannik Sinner in a one-point shootout and walked away with $1 million.
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Is it "real" tennis? Kinda not. But it tells you everything you need to know about the atmosphere in Melbourne right now. The fans are electric, the stakes are high, and even the world No. 2 isn't safe from a stray forehand in a high-pressure moment.
Actionable Insights for Tennis Fans This Weekend
If you're following the action, the transition from the tune-up tournaments to the main draw of the Australian Open starts now. Here is what you should be watching for:
- Monitor the Weather: The rain in Hobart and Adelaide has messed with players' rhythms. Look for those who played shorter matches today (like Tommy Paul) to have a physical edge in the AO opening rounds.
- Fade the "Slumping" Stars: Based on today's Hobart result, Raducanu's confidence looks shot. If she's a heavy favorite in her AO opener, the value might be on the underdog or at least taking the "Over" on games.
- The Mboko Factor: Victoria Mboko is playing top-10 tennis right now. She’s the dark horse to watch in the women’s draw. Her win over Keys today wasn't a fluke; it was a statement.
- Watch the Djokovic Neck: He looked good against Tiafoe, but an exhibition isn't a five-set match. Keep an eye on his practice reports tomorrow to see if that tape on his neck reappears.
The main draw matches in Melbourne kick off Sunday, January 18. Between now and then, it's all about recovery and seeing if the qualifiers like Dane Sweeny and Zeynep Sonmez can carry their Thursday momentum into the big show.