Naomi Osaka impresses but suffers defeat to Caroline Garcia on return to Grand Slam tennis at Australian Open

ByEurosport

Updated 15/01/2024 at 12:54 GMT

Caroline Garcia will face Magdalena Frech in the second round of the Australian Open after she beat the returning Naomi Osaka 6-4 7-6(2) in a match of supreme quality on Rod Laver Arena. Neither player took a step backwards in an enthralling contest but it was Garcia who emerged the victor. For Osaka, despite the defeat, it was an impressive return to Grand Slam tennis following a 15-month hiatus.

Osaka returns to the court in comeback against Garcia

Caroline Garcia squeezed past the returning Naomi Osaka in the first round of the Australian Open courtesy of a 6-4 7-6(2) success on Rod Laver Arena.

It was Osaka’s first appearance at a Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open, and she ultimately fell short in a tightly-contested affair, with 16th seed Garcia coming up clutch in the important moments to seal her progression.

It is the first time Osaka has ever lost in the opening round of the Australian Open, where she is a two-time winner.

WTA Madrid

Osaka 'taking a lot of inspiration' from clay experts as she seeks first title on surface

24/04/2024 at 17:14

Garcia will face Magdalena Frech next.

"I have a lot of respect for Naomi as a person and as a player," said Garcia.

"We all know she had an amazing career. She’s been through a lot and I’m glad she’s back, and hope that she can enjoy tennis now and have fun out there.

"She’s a great girl and has done so much for tennis in the past few years. Six months after giving birth, she’s playing amazing already. We have to watch out!."

Osaka held the advantage in the head-to-head against Garcia coming into the match, having won their only previous meeting, a round-of-64 encounter at the 2021 Australian Open.

The Japanese star went on to win the tournament that year but there would be no repeat in 2024 as Garcia progressed to a second-round clash against Frech next, after she beat Daria Saville.

Garcia seals 'magnificent' win over Osaka at Australian Open

This was only Osaka's third tour-level match after a 15-month hiatus following the birth of her daughter Shai, having made the second round of the WTA Tour at Brisbane International earlier this month.

Ahead of that return, Osaka said she considered this the "second chapter” of her career, but her performance mirrored that of the first, with the four-time Grand Slam winner looking to get on the front foot from the off.

However, in Garcia, she found a player very much of similar ilk. Both attempted to dominate the rallies early on and in the first set it was Garcia who managed to get the upper hand. World No. 19 Garcia hit 13 winners and 13 unforced errors to her opponent’s count of eight and 15.

Garcia managed to convert that superiority into a decisive break in the fifth game of the set to open up a one-set lead.

Garcia with an 'amazing' return against Osaka to set up a 'sneak attack'

The second set followed the same pattern as the first with both players looking to dominate from the back of the court. It went with serve all the way, meaning Garcia served twice to stay in the set.

However, she held her nerve to keep the set on serve and then in the tie-break to secure the win in what was still a very impressive return to Grand Slam tennis from Osaka.