Published January 15,2024
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Naomi Osaka fell on the first hurdle in her Grand Slam comeback on Monday, shedding 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 in opposition to her rusty opponent and she or he dominated the second set tie-break to progress in Melbourne.
Japanese star Osaka, who has received 4 Grand Slams, stepped away from tennis in September 2022, citing psychological well being issues.
After giving start to a child lady, 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 mentioned.
“She’s been by means 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 amazing lady.
“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 along with her French opponent in the beginning of the match.
But she double-faulted within the fifth recreation at hand 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 this planet rankings, dug deep in her subsequent service recreation to remain combating within the set.
But the only break finally proved sufficient for Garcia.
Both gamers have been stable on serve within the second set, with neither capable of drive the essential breakthrough so it went to a tie-break.
Osaka faltered on her serve to slide to 3-2 and Garcia received the entire remaining factors to seal the match, leaping for pleasure.
“I play tennis for this type of match,” she mentioned. “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
