Taylah Preston vs Himeno Sakatsume Preview & Prediction | 2026 Korea Open | First Round

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Taylah Preston takes on Himeno Sakatsume at the Korea Open. 

Ranking points: WTA 250

Start date/time: 22 September 2026 at 4:00 am

Venue: Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center, Seoul, South Korea

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / US – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Taylah Preston vs Himeno Sakatsume ticket information

Taylah Preston vs Himeno Sakatsume prediction

Taylah Preston returns to competition for the first time since the US Open, where she reached the second-round. The Australian produced an impressive 6-3 6-3 victory over Alycia Parks in her opener, converting four of five break points, before running into an inspired Taylor Townsend. Preston was beaten 6-1 6-1 in just 48 minutes, with Townsend winning all 23 points behind her first serve. Preston nevertheless arrives in Seoul at a career high of 92 in the world after compiling a 35-23 record this season.

Himeno Sakatsume also reached the second-round at Flushing Meadows but had to come through qualifying first. The Japanese player defeated Jazmin Ortenzi, Tyra Caterina Grant and Mia Ristic to advance to the main draw. Shen then beat Anhelina Kalinina 6-3 6-3 before pushing Cristina Bucsa all the way in a 7-6 (6) 6-7 (0) 7-6 (6) defeat.

Sakatsume leads the head-to-head 1-0 after beating Preston at the W75 Playford in 2024. That previous result is relevant given it also came on a hard court, but Preston has made significant progress since then.

Taylah Preston vs Himeno Sakatsume tip: Over 21.5 games