Naomi Osaka’s highly anticipated Grand Slam return at the Australian Open ended in a narrow first-round defeat by France’s Caroline Garcia.
Two-time champion Osaka, at her first major since the US Open in September 2022 after giving birth last year, lost 6-4 7-6 (7-2) to the 16th seed.
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Meanwhile, US Open champion Coco Gauff cruised through thanks to a pep talk.
The 19-year-old American, who won her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in September, won 6-3 6-0 against Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.
However, Wimbledon champion and seventh seed Marketa Vondrousova suffered a shock exit on day two at Melbourne Park.
