By Nigel Chiu and Raz Mirza.
Naomi Osaka was beaten in straight sets by Caroline Garcia in her first Grand Slam appearance since 2022 at the Australian Open.
Osaka missed last season as she gave birth to her daughter Shai in July and returned to tennis at the start of this year.
However, she could not make the dream return to Grand Slam action as 16th seed Garcia defeated the four-time major winner 6-4 7-6 (7-2).
“I have a lot of respect for Naomi as a person and player. We all know she’s had an amazing career and she’s been through a lot,” said Garcia, who added she felt unlucky to draw Osaka in the first round.
“I’m glad to see her back and I hope she can enjoy her tennis now and have fun out there. She’s done so much for tennis and to play six months after giving birth, she’s playing quite amazing already so we have to watch out!”
Both players struck the ball well but played loose shots throughout the match and in the fifth game of the opening set, Garcia capitalised on unforced errors from Osaka to break.
Osaka did not get a look at breaking back and dug deep in the second set, which went to 5-5 as both players held serve. A tie-break beckoned as neither player could find the decisive break and Garcia got the first mini break to lead 5-2.
Another mini break followed to set up four match points and a backhand into the net from Osaka gave Garcia victory to book a place in the second round where she will face Poland’s Magdalena Frech.
Two-time major runner-up Ons Jabeur beat Yulia Starodubtseva 6-3 6-1 and Germany’s Laura Siegemund held off Russian 17th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova to win 6-2 3-6 7-6 (11-9) and reach the second round, where she will face Australian Storm Hunter.