Osaka beaten on Grand Slam return as Gauff wins

Naomi Osaka’s much-anticipated return to Grand Slam action at the Australian Open concluded with a narrow first-round loss to France’s Caroline Garcia.

The two-time champion, competing in her first major since the US Open in September 2022 following the birth of her daughter, was defeated 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) by the 16th seed.

Reflecting on her performance, Osaka stated, “I felt like I did the best that I could possibly do. I was a little bit overthinking in my head.” Despite the loss, Osaka emphasized her positive outlook and fresh perspective on her return to tennis. She acknowledged the difficulty of being away from her daughter but expressed gratitude for the learning experiences during her time away.

In contrast, US Open champion Coco Gauff had a successful start, winning 6-3, 6-0 against Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.

The 19-year-old American, who claimed her maiden Grand Slam title in September, credited a pep talk for her relaxed performance, saying, “I told myself: ‘I feel good, I look good so just have fun.’ I was able to relax.”

However, Wimbledon champion and seventh seed Marketa Vondrousova experienced a surprising exit on the second day of the Australian Open.

Osaka’s loss to Garcia marked the first time she has been defeated in the opening round in Melbourne, but based on her performance, there are indications that she may soon return to her title-winning form.

Reported By BBC Sports