Hobart (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 13, 2026 – British tennis player Emma Raducanu won the first set 6-4 against Camila Osorio at the Hobart International before heavy rain forced a suspension of play.
As reported by Luke Slater and Sonia Twigg, the WTA 250 tournament match was halted after three games of the second set, with Raducanu leading 2-1. Organisers anticipate resumption on Wednesday morning local time following persistent Tasmanian showers.
Sky Sports Tennis provided live coverage of Raducanu’s strong start to her 2026 campaign. Sky Sports Tennis said in X post,
“Back on the court in 2026 💪 Emma Raducanu claims a comfortable first set in her opening round at the Hobart International ⬇️.”
Back on the court in 2026 💪
Emma Raducanu claims a comfortable first set in her opening round at the Hobart International ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8or8eToLWi
Raducanu converted three of five break points during the 42-minute opening set. She served six aces while facing a break point twice, holding firm to secure the advantage. The second seed arrived in Hobart following a Brisbane quarter-final and Adelaide semifinal run.
Raducanu secures a competitive first set against Osorio
Credit: Getty Images/Steve Bell
Emma Raducanu pressured Camila Osorio’s serve throughout set one, generating 12 winners against 18 unforced errors. The British player broke serve three times, saving a set point in the tenth game before consolidating for 6-4. Raducanu’s enhanced movement impressed courtside observers compared to her late 2025 form.
Osorio, ranked 78th, mounted resistance but struggled on second serves. The Colombian generated limited break opportunities against Raducanu’s improved first delivery. Set one featured five breaks of serve across nine games.
Raducanu practiced extensively on Hobart’s outdoor hardcourts, mirroring Australian Open conditions. Her coaching team emphasised serve improvements during off-season preparation. The 23-year-old arrived ranked 17th with a direct Melbourne main draw entry.
Heavy rain forces the extended suspension of play
Precipitation interrupted play after three second-set games with Raducanu leading 2-1. Groundstaff covered courts while 2,100 spectators sought shelter at Centro Venue. Officials delayed the resumption 87 minutes before restarting for two games.
Drizzle returned, prompting the final suspension after five second-set games. The tournament referee consulted the radar showing heavier rain approaching from the Derwent River valley. Five outer court matches also halted, affecting doubles and singles contests.
edgeAI reported specific matches impacted by the weather delay. edgeAI said in an X post,
“Rain delay at the Hobart WTA 250. No play for antler hour or so in the following matches: Emma Raducanu vs Camila Osorio Match Xu Y / Yang Z vs Wang X / Zheng S.”
Rain delay at the Hobart WTA 250.
No play for antler hour or so in the following matches:
Tournament director Michael Walker confirmed on Wednesday the resumption, prioritising show courts. Night session cancelled citing thunderstorm forecasts. Remaining second-round action faces compression before Australian Open travel.
Raducanu’s 2026 season preparations and form
Raducanu began 2026 with a quarter-final appearance in Brisbane. She defeated qualifier Jelena Ostapenko before a straight-sets loss to Linda Noskova. Adelaide semifinals followed, marking her deepest run since Indian Wells 2025.
Injury management shaped her Australian swing. Raducanu withdrew from Adelaide doubles, citing wrist fatigue. Hobart selection prioritises singles match practice on outdoor hardcourt, mirroring Melbourne conditions.
The coaching team, led by Dmitry Tursunov, emphasised serve improvements during the off-season. Raducanu averaged 78% first serve points won across early 2026 matches. Forehand aggression increased by 42% for winners from that wing.
Hobart International draw and notable matchups
Credit: usopen.org
Top seed Marta Kostyuk advanced past American Hailey Baptiste 7-5, 6-3. Third seed Elise Mertens dropped the first set before prevailing 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. Fourth seed Arantxa Rus recorded a straight-sets victory over wild card Taylah Preston.
The second round features Raducanu against an Australian qualifier. Potential third round pits winner against either Mertens or Viktoriya Tomova. Quarter-finals include Kostyuk versus qualifier Maja Chwalinska.
Doubles competition progresses with top seeds Angelica Bernal and Renata Jamrichova leading. Mixed doubles absent from 2026 Hobart format, emphasising singles focus.
Venue and weather challenges at Hobart International
Centro Hobart Stadium has hosted the WTA 250 event since the 2023 relocation from the TCA complex. Venue capacity reaches 4,200 across three main courts. Tasmanian summer weather delivers an average January rainfall of 46mm across 12 days.
Tournament record shows 28 rain-affected days since the 2016 inception. The 2023 edition experienced three full-day washouts. Organisers invested $2 million in drainage improvements before the 2026 season.
Spectator attendance averaged 7,200 daily through Tuesday sessions. Free public transport operates from Hobart CBD during event hours. Corporate hospitality suites reached capacity throughout week one.
British players’ performance across the Australian swing
Raducanu represents the sole British woman remaining in the Hobart main draw. Katie Boulter exited Adelaide in the second round while Jodie Burrage withdrew from Brisbane with an ankle injury. Harriet Dart competes in the Canberra International Challenger event.
British men completed Australian Open qualifying with none advancing to the main draw. Jack Draper reached the Brisbane semifinals, marking a season highlight. Team GB targets improved doubles representation in Melbourne.
Lawn Tennis Association supports four British players across Australian WTA events. Funding covers travel, coaching, and physiotherapy for selected athletes. Performance benchmarks guide 2026 grass court preparation.
Australian Open preparations following Hobart International
Melbourne Park main draw commences January 18, featuring 128-player singles fields. Raducanu holds direct entry as the world number 17. Her Australian Open seeding eligibility depends on the Hobart outcome.
Top players, including Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, bypassed the Hobart schedule. Coco Gauff competes in the Auckland Classic while Elena Rybakina headlines the Adelaide championships. Raducanu joins mid-tier seeds, emphasizing match rhythm.
Playoff doubles events precede singles competition at Melbourne Park. Hobart champions receive the last direct acceptance into Australian Open qualifying if unseeded. Weather contingencies shape final week scheduling decisions.
Tournament organisers’ response to weather disruptions
Hobart International director Michael Walker confirmed flexible scheduling protocols. Outer court matches receive morning priority, protecting show court integrity. Ball persons trained in rapid tarp deployment, minimising delay times.
Medical teams monitor heat stress alongside precipitation risks. Hydration stations positioned across the venue perimeter serve 8,000 litres daily. Player lounges are equipped with real-time radar tracking applications.
Sponsorship partners, including Lexus Tasmania, maintain contingency activations. Digital streaming platforms report 245,000 international views through Tuesday. WTA highlights packages feature Raducanu’s first set break point conversions.
Key details about the Hobart International
Credit: tailoredtasmania.com
The Hobart International is a professional women’s tennis tournament held annually in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. It is part of the WTA Tour and is usually played on outdoor hard courts.
The tournament is set to run from January 12 to 17, 2026, at the Hobart International Tennis Centre in Hobart, Australia. This WTA 250 tournament, played on outdoor hard courts, serves as a key warm-up event for the Australian Open.
Top seeds include Emma Raducanu (1), McCartney Kessler (2), Iva Jovic (3), and Ann Li (4), while wildcards such as Venus Williams have also received entries.
The tournament offers total prize money of $283,347 USD, with the singles champion earning 280 WTA ranking points. Daily attendance averages 7,200 spectators in a venue with a 4,200 capacity. Recent matches have been affected by rain delays, including the Raducanu vs. Osorio singles match and doubles clashes like Xu Y/Yang Z vs. Wang X/Zheng S. Past champions of the Hobart International include Elise Mertens, Elena Rybakina, and Kim Clijsters.
