Defeating Alize Cornet during the first round of the Melbourne Summer Set was a challenge for Naomi Osaka, who was contesting her first match since the Australian Open. The defending Australian Open winner was playing her first match in four months.
When she completes her match against Cornet, the top seed will play either Petra Martic or Maryna Zanevska, who she defeated 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours and two minutes. This is the very first time since the US Open that she has participated in the tournament as mental health issues hindered her from competing.
After the match, Naomi Osaka said
I really love playing here. Osaka said in comments shared on the WTA after the match. I love New York, but this might be my favorite slam so it feels really good to always come back here.
At Melbourne Park, Naomi Osaka made a total of 57 unintentional mistakes, including eight double faults, as she battled with her accuracy.
Osaka won the first set and established a comfortable lead in the second before Cornet rallied to take four consecutive games and the second set.
The former world number one, who is now positioned 13th, won the initial three games of the final set before serving out the victory after falling behind 0-30 in the set.
