Tennis-Rusty Osaka falls at first hurdle in Australian Open, Gauff romps

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 15, 2024 Coco Gauff of the U.S. in action during her first round match against Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova REUTERS/Edgar Su

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Naomi Osaka did not enjoy the fairytale return she hoped for at the Australian Open as the twice champion lost 6-4 7-6(2) to French 16th seed Caroline Garcia in the opening round on Monday.

Osaka returned to the tour after 15 months out during which she had her first child and the four-time Grand Slam champion looked rusty at times in her first appearance at a major since 2022 as Garcia capitalised to ease through the first set.