The 25-year-old could not have hoped for a greater script for any potential entry she pens for January 17 as she gained her opening match 6-3 6-3 in opposition to Colombian Camila Osorio on Rod Laver Enviornment.

Osaka, who’s the thirteenth seed on this 12 months’s draw, raced right into a 5-0 lead within the opening set on Monday earlier than some spirited play from 20-year-old Osorio and some unforced errors allowed her a route into the match.

The Japanese star did ultimately handle to clinch the primary set. Within the second set, Osorio had two early break factors however was unable to take benefit.

Osaka broke right into a 3-1 lead and a stray Osorio backhand into the online lastly gave Osaka the victory to get her title protection off to the proper begin.

“I assumed I performed fairly effectively given the circumstances, I did not have a variety of details about my opponent,” stated Osaka in her on-court interview.

She added: “I hope that we gave you a extremely good efficiency. It all the time feels very particular for me to come back again right here. I’ve a variety of actually good reminiscences right here.”

Osaka will face Madison Brengle within the second spherical after the American superior when Dayana Yastremska retired trailing 1-6 6-0 0-5.

Earlier this month Osaka performed her first match in 4 months after she took a break from tennis after a defeat to Leylah Fernandez on the US Open Final 12 months, she additionally withdrew from the French Open, citing psychological well being points, and selected to not take part at Wimbledon.

The four-time grand slam champion stated she is prioritizing her enjoyment on the court docket throughout her time in Melbourne.

“I am unable to anticipate myself to win each match, however I do anticipate myself to have enjoyable and problem myself,” she stated. “I am right here as a result of I wish to be right here and since I discover that it is enjoyable for me.

“I settle for the truth that I will have dips, and I want to determine a method to overcome it.”

Osaka celebrates her match point against Osorio.

Might this be the 12 months?

Like Osaka, Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open could not have began any higher because the Spaniard embarks on his bid to win what can be a record-breaking twenty first grand slam victory,

The Spaniard beat Marcos Giron 6-1 6-4 6-2 in only one hour, 49 minutes to advance to the second spherical in Melbourne.

In what was his seventieth win on the competitors, Nadal continued his quick begin to 2022 on the Rod Laver Enviornment.

Having missed the tip of the 2021 season due to a foot damage, Nadal gained the Melbourne Summer season Set title two weeks in the past, his first match win on Australian soil for the reason that Australian Open in 2009.

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And the 35-year-old maintained his good type in opposition to Giron, a dominant 24-minute first set setting the tone.

Nadal continued to maintain his foot down all through, breezing previous world No. 66 Giron with out an excessive amount of fuss.

Nadal is the one former champion left within the draw — with Novak Djokovic deported and Roger Federer injured — which means he can change into the boys’s all-time grand slam document winner by profitable in Melbourne.

And he burdened the significance of profitable final week on the Melbourne Summer season Set after beating Giron.

“Final week had been essential for me. I performed three matches, I gained three matches. I gained a title, it is all the time lovely,” Nadal stated.

“And I believe I’m doing higher and higher. You by no means know what is going on on, however I am joyful when you inform me I will be on this place one month in the past, in fact indubitably I’d signal the paper (smiling).

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Nadal celebrates after winning against Giron.

“Originally (of a comeback), issues are going to be troublesome, in fact you’ll not have the perfect emotions generally on court docket.

“However staying optimistic, enjoying with the proper vitality, and naturally being on the tour practising with the blokes, and profitable matches, for positive helps.”

Sixth seed Nadal will now face the winner of the match between wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis and qualifier Yannick Hanfmann within the second spherical.

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