Taylah Preston Reaches The Odlum Brown VanOpen Final After Stunning Comeback

Taylah Preston, Vancouver Open, Image Credit (Ricky Boone)

The Odlum Brown VanOpen is back, and it is bigger than ever. Fans have packed the venue, and the tournament has delivered exciting tennis all week.

Australia's Taylah Preston has reached her second final of the season after defeating Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew, in a thrilling three-set semifinal. Preston entered the match without dropping a single set all tournament, but she faced her toughest challenge yet.

After losing the opening set 5-7, Preston showed incredible resilience and mental toughness. Preston fought her way back with aggressive tennis and refused to give up. Winning 65% of her first-serve points and 63% of Sawangkaew’s second-serve points, Preston turned the match around to win 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

Earlier this season, Preston captured the biggest title of her career by winning the ITF W100 Tokyo tournament, defeating another rising star from Thailand Lanlana Tararudee in another hard-fought three-set final. Today, Preston was pushed to three sets and again found a way to come through, showing the fighting spirit that has become a trademark of her game. Now, she has the chance to add another major title to her growing resume.

The victory is projected to move Preston up six places to a career-high World No. 111, another significant milestone in her rapid rise.

Speaking with Preston after the match, I informed her that she was projected to reach a new career-high ranking. Smiling, she said she was "excited to be in the final" and "definitely excited" about achieving a career-best ranking. Her focus, however, quickly turned to Saturday's championship match.

"The next step is to get some rest and recovery," Preston said as she prepares for what could become the biggest title of her career.

Preston will now face fellow Australian Maddison Inglis in the Odlum, Brown Vancouver Open final. The pair have met three times before, with Inglis leading the head-to-head 2-1. With the championship on the line, Preston will be looking to level the rivalry and lift her second trophy this season.

The all-Australian final has created plenty of excitement, and The Odlum Brown VanOpen is completely sold out for what promises to be an unforgettable match.

Before the start of the 2025 season, I named Taylah Preston as one of my top teenage prospects to watch, alongside Alexandra Eala, Maya Joint, and Iva Jovic. Preston has continued to justify her talent with her outstanding speed, aggressive forehand, and impressive mental toughness.

Her ability to stay calm in pressure moments has become one of her greatest strengths. Whether it was battling three sets to win the W100 title in Tokyo or fighting through another three-set battle in Vancouver, Preston has shown she has the mindset needed to succeed at the highest level.

Now, Preston stands just one win away from another career-defining moment. If she can overcome Maddison Inglis in The Odlum Brown VanOpen final, she will not only claim what could be the biggest title of her career, but also continue to establish herself as one of Australia's brightest young stars and a player capable of competing for many more championships in the years ahead.

Ricky Boone is a published author, law student and tennis journalist.