By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-01-15 14:11:12
Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka made a disappointing comeback at the Grand Slam as she failed to progress beyond the first round, while US Open winner Coco Gauff and men’s third seed Daniil Medvedev advanced in Melbourne.
Osaka, who had stepped away from the sport in September 2022 due to mental health concerns after giving birth to her baby girl in July, returned for the new season but was unable to replicate her previous title-winning form. She was defeated by 16th-seeded Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia after competing in just two games in Brisbane since returning.
Meanwhile, Medvedev battled tough conditions during his match against French qualifier Terence Atmane, who in the end retired in tears due to severe cramping. Medvedev will face Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in the next round.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the seventh seed, overcame an early scare to secure victory against Belgian lucky loser Zizou Bergs, while women’s sixth seed Ons Jabeur also emerged victorious in the first round.
However, Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova and veteran Andy Murray made early exits from the tournament, with Murray hinting that it might be his last appearance at the Australian Open.
For women’s fourth seed Gauff, the tournament began with a convincing win against Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. Gauff successfully defended her Auckland title in the lead-up to the Australian Open and will face unseeded American Caroline Dolehide in the next round.
While Gauff progressed, Vondrousova suffered a 6-1, 6-2 defeat at the hands of Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska, who was proud to represent Ukraine amidst the ongoing war in her homeland. Another Ukrainian, Elina Svitolina, also advanced to the next round after a dominant performance against Australian Taylah Preston.
Overall, the first few days of the Australian Open saw both victories and surprising defeats as the event continued to unfold in Melbourne.
