Published January 15,2024
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Naomi Osaka fell on the first hurdle in her Grand Slam comeback on Monday, dropping 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) to Caroline Garcia within the first spherical of the Australian Open.
A single break proved sufficient for the French sixteenth seed to win the opening set towards her rusty opponent and she or he dominated the second set tie-break to progress in Melbourne.
Japanese star Osaka, who has gained 4 Grand Slams, stepped away from tennis in September 2022, citing psychological well being considerations.
After giving beginning to a child woman, Shai, in July, she determined to return for the 2024 season.
Garcia paid respect to her defeated opponent after victory underneath the lights on Rod Laver Arena.
“I have a lot of respect for Naomi as a person and as a player,” she stated.
“She’s been by way of loads, however I’m simply very glad to see her again and I hope she will benefit from the tennis now and have enjoyable on the market. She’s an awesome woman.
“I mean, six months after giving birth she is playing quite amazing already, so we have to watch out.”
Osaka’s solely aggressive tennis earlier than the Australian Open got here at this month’s Brisbane International, the place she misplaced within the second spherical to Karolina Pliskova.
The two-time Australian Open champion went toe-to-toe together with her French opponent at the beginning of the match.
But she double-faulted within the fifth sport handy Garcia a break level after which dumped a forehand into the web to give up her serve.
The 26-year-old, who has tumbled to 831st on the planet rankings, dug deep in her subsequent service sport to remain combating within the set.
But the one break finally proved sufficient for Garcia.
Both gamers had been stable on serve within the second set, with neither capable of pressure the essential breakthrough so it went to a tie-break.
Osaka faltered on her serve to slide to 3-2 and Garcia gained the entire remaining factors to seal the match, leaping for pleasure.
“I play tennis for this type of match,” she stated. “It was my first time at a Slam enjoying the second match within the night after so a few years on tour so I used to be excited by it.
“It will be a memory I will remember for many years. So win or lose, I wanted to have fun and experience it to the maximum.”
Source: www.anews.com.tr