Osaka beaten by Garcia on Grand Slam return

Naomi Osaka was beaten in straight sets by Caroline Garcia in her first Grand Slam appearance since 2022 at the Australian Open yesterday.  
Osaka missed last season as she gave birth to her daughter Shai in July and returned to tennis at the start of this year.  

However, she could not make the dream return to Grand Slam action as 16th seed Garcia defeated the four-time major winner 6-4 7-6 (7-2).  
Both players struck the ball well but played loose shots throughout the match and in the fifth game of the opening set, Garcia capitalised on unforced errors from Osaka to break.  
Osaka did not get a look at breaking back and dug deep in the second set, which went to 5-5 as both players held serve. A tie-break beckoned as neither player could find the decisive break and Garcia got the first mini break to lead 5-2.  

Another mini break followed to set up four match points and a backhand into the net from Osaka gave Garcia victory to book a place in the second round where she will face Poland’s Magdalena Frech.  

Meanwhile, reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-0 win over Anna Karolina Schmiedlova to secure a spot in the second round of the Australian Open.  
Gauff opened proceedings on Rod Laver Arena on the second day of the tournament for her first Grand Slam match since she lifted the title in New York in September.  
She brushed aside Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-3, 6-0 in exactly an hour, winning nine games in a row to set up a second-round clash with compatriot Caroline Dolehide.

(Agencies)  
Caption:  
Caroline Garcia celebrates a point