Taylah Preston is ready to level up and challenge tennis’ best at the US Open after cracking the world’s top 100 for the first time this week.

The 20-year-old Western Australian – known for fearless shot-making and her high intensity – joins Talia Gibson (22) and Maya Joint (20) as the third young Aussie to reach the milestone in the space of 18 months.

Taylah Preston moves into the second round. AP

Preston’s rise comes after winning the W100 Tokyo in April and the WTA 125 Vancouver in August.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Preston said.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work, a lot of years. But it’s definitely been a goal for a long time now.” 

Preston has been grated a wildcard at the US Open, which starts in New York on Monday (AEST).

Preston will take on American world No.89 Alycia Parks in the first round.

“I’m extremely grateful to be given a chance to compete in the main draw in New York, it means a lot to me,” she said.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work with my team and can’t wait to get out there and compete.”

Nicole Kriz, Tennis Australia’s director of player development, said Preston’s potential was immense.

“Reaching the top 100 is a fantastic milestone, but knowing Taylah’s work ethic, character and appetite for growth, we genuinely believe this is just the beginning,” Kriz said. 

“She is exceptionally engaged, curious and is always striving to become the best version of herself every day. She is an outstanding person with great character and an incredible work ethic, which makes her a fantastic role model for the next generation.” 

Preston is one of 13 Australians in the singles main draw, with Chris O’Connell, Tristan Schoolkate and Storm Hunter hoping to join them via the rain-delayed final round of qualifying on Saturday (AEST).

Alex de Minaur is the No.6 seed at this year’s US Open. Getty Images

World No.6 Alex de Minaur will play a yet-to-be-determined qualifier in the first round, with Botic van de Zandschulp, Zizou Bergs and world No.13 Rafael Jodar then lying in wait if results go according to rankings.

Spanish phenom Jodar will meet Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis – playing on a protected ranking – in the first round.

Rinky Hijikata will meet No.3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round, while James Duckworth has drawn 30th seed Matteo Arnaldi.

Fit-again Carlos Alcaraz will open the defence of his title against Roman Safiullin.

It will be Alcaraz’s first singles match since April, after the two-time US Open champion was forced to miss the French Open and Wimbledon because of a right wrist injury.

The Spaniard returned to play with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles tournament and looked rusty.

He may have to be sharper against Safiullin, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, upsetting Andrey Rublev and Joao Fonseca along the way before falling to 24-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic in four sets.

Safiullin also upset Alcaraz, ranked No.2 at the time, in the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris in 2023.

Alcaraz avenged that loss the following year at the Paris Olympics in their lone other meeting.

Alexander Zverev, the French Open champion who became the No.1 seed in New York when Jannik Sinner pulled out with a knee injury, will open against Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

Two-time defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka opens against Camila Osorio.

The top-ranked Sabalenka, who has struggled during the North American hard-court season, could face Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, the No.6 seed, in the quarter-finals.

Despite her patchy form, Sabalenka is still the favourite to win the women’s tournament with most bookmakers, ahead of Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek.

– with AP

Australia’s first round match-ups

Men’s singles

6-Alex de Minaur vs Qualifier

Alexei Popyrin vs Qualifier


Adam Walton vs Yibing Wu (CHN)

Rinky Hijikata vs 3-Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)

Aleksandar Vukic vs Qualifier

James Duckworth vs 30-Matteo Arnaldi (ITA)

Thanasi Kokkinakis vs 12-Rafael Jodar (ESP)

Dane Sweeny (WC) vs Corentin Moutet (FRA)

Women’s singles

Maya Joint vs Liudmila Samsonova (RUS)

Daria Kasatkina vs Paula Badosa (ESP)

Kimberly Birrell vs Petra Marcinko (CRO)

Talia Gibson vs Donna Vekic (CRO)

Taylah Preston (WC) vs Alycia Parks (USA)

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