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Australian Open 2024 results: Naomi Osaka loses, Coco Gauff wins and Marketa Vondrousova out

naomi osaka shakes hands with caroline garciaGetty Images

Naomi Osaka (left) won the Australian Open title in 2019 and 2021

By Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

Australian Open 2024

Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 14-28 January

Coverage: Commentary every day from 07:00 GMT on Tennis Breakfast on Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, with selected live text commentaries and match reports on the BBC Sport website and app

Naomi Osaka's highly anticipated Grand Slam return at the Australian Open ended in a narrow first-round defeat by '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.

"I felt like I did the best that I could possibly do. I was a little bit overthinking in my head," Osaka said.

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.

"I told myself: 'I feel good, I look good so just have fun.' I was able to relax," the fourth seed said.

However, Wimbledon champion and seventh seed Marketa Vondrousova suffered a shock exit on day two at Melbourne Park.

Osaka 'frustrated' not to 'do better' on return

It has been just six months since Osaka gave birth to daughter Shai and the Japanese four-time Grand Slam champion said before the Australian Open that she has returned to the sport with a more positive outlook and fresh perspective.

She made her return in Brisbane a fortnight ago, beating Tamara Korpatsch before a narrow loss to Karolina Pliskova.

Based on her performance against Garcia, in front of a Rod Laver Arena crowd eagerly waiting to see just what kind of form she would be in, it may not be long before the 26-year-old is back to her title-winning best.

"I have to tell myself 'hey, six months ago you were pregnant'. Of course there's a voice in my head that is saying 'who are you to think you can come back and immediately start winning matches">