Naomi Osaka falls in first round of Australian Open

Naomi Osaka was disappointed to bow out of the Australian Open in the first round on her Grand Slam return on Monday but thought she was making rapid progress in her comeback after 15 months out of the game.

The Japanese former world number one, who took time out to have daughter Shai, went down 6-4 7-6(2) to French 16th seed Caroline Garcia on the Rod Laver Arena court where she won two of her four Grand Slam titles.

“I thought it was a really good match. For me, I felt like I did the best that I could possibly do,” she told reporters.

“I think I still feel like a bit disappointed. I did feel nervous, but I felt like I kept telling myself to be positive. I thought I kept doing better as the match went on.

“So, yeah, I’m not too happy right now, but I think I can learn from the progress.”