Naomi Osaka v Caroline Garcia Full Match | Australian Open 2025 First Round

Naomi Osaka v Caroline Garcia Full Match | Australian Open 2025 First Round

there were some concerns after that Auckland final where Osaka had to retire after winning the first set looked like a stomach issue but she seems so far like she’s ready to go it’s never easy covering from something like that Caroline Garcia not playing any leading events I know there’s only two opportunities two leading weeks of tournaments and opting to come in fresh it’s not easy yeah she hadn’t played Garcia since September bit unusual for majority of players but for some players you know they kind of get ready to to shut the season down feel like making a fresh start something you decide on with your team as you look forward to the new season maybe Dylan just few things physically that she wanted to to get in a better place and I think just when you read some of her posts on the social media sites it was almost like there was she was just a little burnt out mentally emotionally she’s been on the tour for a for a good amount of time currently ranked 67 and just she was just bit frustrated having to deal with all the expectation I believe good start for Caroline Garcia first game yeah terrific start for Garcia who you know as you talked about you spoke about an ongoing shoulder injury that she was dealing with but also mentally and physically feeling a little burnt out wanting to just reset give herself some time to rebuild bit unusual not playing any leadup events coming into the the AO but sometimes you just want to give your body the best chance to be ready for the start of the season so difficult for these players when they’re dealing with things constantly never completely 100% but try to be as close to it at the beginning of the new year Naomi OA and I think that’s going to be the play for gara that she looks to implement often stepping in she likes to take the ball early still time from her opponents second serves from Osaka will be a chance for her to do that with these two they played three times last season and of course you mentioned Josh Josh playing at the AO here last year Garcia getting that win Saka won in Doha and then they played last time in Miami I remember watching the Miami match just seemed like Osaka she was she was there but still not quite Full Throttle she was working her way back getting matches live matches under her belt and she was close it was a tight two set match yeah a long way down the track isn’t it 12 months from where we were this time last year for Asaka [Music] y so both players holding serve comfortably one game more and this is where you can maybe feel like you’ve settled in once you hold serve kind of go through the initial tension the initial butterflies that first game I mean this is one of the tough first round matches of this draw and when we saw the draw come out a lot of people had their eyes on this one one of those matches you cannot take for granted [Applause] carolene Garcia an interesting story and career she’s had you mention her career high four in the world right now she’s sitting outside the world’s top 50 mentioned you she shut her 2024 season down a bit early so she lost some some points there I don’t think that would worry her though I think when you look at Garcia’s history she’s a player that can get hot and win a lot of matches quickly string together some you know even tournament Victory so I think it was a by the sounds of it a wise decision just to take a bit of time time out and now you think about the 2022 season talk about getting hot Midway through the year she was having to play qualifying at number of events and all of a sudden just turned it on Cincinnati coming through qualifying winning that event winning the tour finals 14 semies of the US Open it was quite a remarkable run even for a player who can below hot at any given moment yeah she had that other little hot stint remember a little earlier in her career in Asia game the so good stuff there from Caroline Garcia we’re on serve 21 first set [Music] [Music] [Music] time well it really is a a wonderful sight Rod Laver Arena here on this picturesque evening it’s been a glorious day here at the Australian Open weather has certainly turned it on just a little bit of a feeling out here period here chander for both players just trying to settle in the condition’s different it’s nearly qu to 11 in the evening so a little cooler down there at courts [Music] side it’s a type of matchup with these two having played so often in a short period of time so kind of match up where you kind of know what you need to do you know what you’re trying to strategically Implement out there question is execution [Music] [Music] listen both these players are very comfortable taking risk going big trying to rush the other and so you know who can be maybe a little braver in some of the bigger moments some of the crucial moments we’ve seen that in their previous matchups yeah really two of the absolute best ball Strikers there’s not a lot of players that can Rush Osaka consistently but Caroline Garcia is one of them so we’ll see how well Osaka stays settled through this match how well she stays down and behind her shots yeah just like that 30 it all starts with the footwork and getting in position and on balance and of course once Osaka is on the front foot difficult to get her off beautiful Rhythm feel when she was up her absolute P the serve was just so dominant as well the first serve in particular can be such a weapon [Music] [Music] ju she just kind of push that serve a little bit it dropped she didn’t quite catch it at its peak so couldn’t get up and out after it course she’s getting some fabulous shape that slid out wide Advantage yeah keep paying attention to how well Osaka keeps the the flow on her second serves because Garcia is looking to step in she’s applying that kind of pressure [Music] game good little fight there to get through the hole to all can see Oak going over there on the right of the screen that’s Patrick morogo he’s coached a lot of the the good players at the top of the tree particularly on the the women’s side yeah he spent so many years Patrick with Serena most notably it was a change from whim facette who’ been coaching Asaka for some time and now whim facet coaching shant 15 love there’s not many players that can hug the Baseline the way Garcia does and still hit as big as she does short hopping some of those balls trying not to give up her positioning f [Applause] 15 those are the kinds of points that Osaka wants to to look to take advantage of opportunities to tighten these games up a little more in terms of the score line maybe force a few second serves from Garcia 1 that is terrific able to get on the outside of the ball with a similar look as what she uses for her t- surf 30 she got it 1 14 looks so motivated tonight this was pretty good serve and then just didn’t quite get it wide enough there Garcia who’s always Keen to come forward not afraid to finish at the net so a break point here for Naomi Asaka gets the first break it’s a pumped up Naomi Asaka she leads 3-2 first setaka leads three game for [Music] [Applause] [Music] two sometimes we just next wonderful City uh just around 11:00 p.m. local time here well it’s the night session day two here at the Australian Open and what has been a a fantastic day of tennis at Melbourne Park in here on Rod La Arena it’s a good start for Naomi Asaka from Japan the former Champion with a break 3-2 first set and chander really targeting that forehand isn’t she that slider wide out to Garcia on the first Court it allows oaka to open up the court and create some space to Garcia’s backand and it’s more likely that Osaka will get a return up the middle thir playing for that second ball playing for that shot that she wants behind the serve and you think about Garcia this time last year she was inside the top 20 19 in the world now just inside the world’s top 60 hasn’t played a a lot coming into this Australian Open so much can be about momentum and that confidence that it brings when you think about the type of game that Garcia has it’s a confidence game and she’s got to be feeling it it’s got to be instinctive so that may be the the challenge right now for the French woman G just nothing you can do about those serves it’s a very different uh iomi of cycer isn’t it you can just see the body language very vocal you know almost outwardly animated which is great to see that self-belief is coming back you think about that final in Auckland where she had won the first set 64 and had to retire was playing lights out tennis was up 5-1 against clar tosson and it was just the the stomach injury that seemed to get in her way and she was looking for her first title in couple of years or first title as a mom so much on the line for Osaka but you feel like it’s coming you feel like continues to play this kind of tennis it’s just a matter of time Garcia trying to put a pause in the Osaka train here 15 play an out ball just possibly that’s what I think she was PanAm mining that it might have been going out Osaka took it out of the air nice to see that smile and enjoying a tennis again it’s great to have aaka back 14 an important game for Garcia and she is trying to keep the intensity up keep herself within touching distance here in this first set [Music] from Garcia just staying in touch and it’s just the one break still for Naomi oaka 43 first setak four games to three [Applause] [Music] spe [Music] [Music] Caroline Garcia’s partner there got recently engaged last [Music] year [Applause] time Caroline Garcia’s partner in the light blue engaged around middle of the year last year for uran and then on the left of screen Julian Beno he is the Fed Cup or Billy Jean King Cup captain for France I love this spirited hitting three flowing really from both players but it’s aaka who just got the upper hand at the moment with Pac and aggression 15 great footwork lights for service 30 [Applause] love just sitting on it this time Garcia that’s great timing that’s the danger against Garcia and there’s a premium for getting that first serve in but she can’t just place it in she’s got to still go for it and hit her targets it’s partly why we see Osaka going to that slider trying to get on the outside of the ball get it away from Garcia Garcia handles Pace very well especially Pace that’s in her wheelhouse 14 13 [Applause] game now she’ll enjoy that bring a small to your face it’s been a very disciplined match so far from Osaka especially on serve she’s had a couple of double faults thrown in there but she’s come back recovered nicely afterwards you really see the intent behind just about every serve that she’s thrown out there help L [Applause] [Music] [Applause] 15 love 13 those are the kinds of Misses from Garcia that don’t really have a chance of clearing the net halfway up the net didn’t really get her feet in position it’s been quick hasn’t it just back end of the set three set points for Naomi Asaka that’s an excellent start isn’t it Naomi aaka racing away with the first set just 29 minutes it’s six games to three she was uper set and had to pull out and change sometimes it take or it does take a a coaching change you know fresh voice fresh eyes can just to freshen things up that that can really be the difference yeah I think for some players it’s kind of a new beginning as well you may be hearing some of the same things but it’s from a different perspective maybe a different way of communicating that helps you understand it a little differently laka worked with when faet before her maternity leave and started struggling 2022 into the end of that season and when she came back they kind of talked about feeling like some things were unfinished and so she came back from maternity leave got back together with him and I think they did do some nice building remember Osaka didn’t have a ranking coming back not easy to kind of reset and build from zero so now 50 in the world starting this season [Music] that’s just wide the oaka had her her daughter in 2023 and you know coming back beginning of 2024 she talked about she thought it would be quicker her getting back physically and some of what she had seen from other moms it seemed a lot easier it hasn’t been it hasn’t been as easy and I mean I think everybody’s different as well I think spidel has had great success as a mother coming back but it’s it’s been a a challenge I think it’s the uh the expectation I mean Naomi Asaka is such a high achiever she’s contending for grand slams and that’s the sort of level that she was hoping to come back to quickly hasn’t quite eventuated yet but the form and the start to her season I think it’s looking really promising well I think you know for moms that came back Kim cler has really skewed the thinking of what’s possible after coming back from maternity leave and and then of course Serena getting to multiple major finals not long after [Music] oaka mentioned you she thought the weight would just kind of melt off and for her it it didn’t happen as quickly we saw Victoria as arinka come back as a mom and seem to get back into fitness pretty quickly but didn’t have the results as quickly as she might have liked everybody’s story is a little bit different it’s different existence once you you do have a child as an athlete yeah she thought that ball was just long it looked like it caught gcia a bit of the line so Garcia here with immediate opportunities to open this second [Applause] set yeah just skids when it hits that watt line the paint game so that’s a a break for Garcia first game off to a better start one love second set that’s got to be frustrating though for Osaka she had the momentum it looked like it was going to be a clean hold and all of a sudden now it’s a big shift Garcia getting her first break of the [Music] [Applause] match so predict up let probably about right at the moment started off as a favorite Asaka but now just by virtue of winning that first set it just makes it that much harder for Garcia we saw it a bit really for Asaka well she could play some really good stuff then at the top end her her low end where she would then go on a bit of a run and make quite a lot of unforced errors and just do a lot of damage to the score line it’s maintaining that really even level of focus and everybody has dips throughout a match where you hope it doesn’t last long you try pull it back as quickly as possible what you don’t want is for it to last three four five points where now you’ve lost a game or two because of it and I think when she was out of peak she was able to you know really hit her way out of trouble at times really Dominate and of course that hasn’t quite eventuated so just trying to put all the pieces of the puzzle back together that’s a little bit better here these last couple of points now she’s got a slight opening but what a serve from Garcia the body serve so smart to the Osaka’s backand most big hitters like to have a little space to swing away and Garcia not giving it to her there 1413 [Music] [Applause] [Music] Mia Garcia highrisk as her game is that’s not a shot you want to hit from that position middle of the Court she’s falling backwards trying to go inside out and create all the angle with Pace a little bit flatter to the court I mean that’s a ball you got to put a little air under live to fight the next shot [Applause] ADV so break point chance here body language has been awesome from masaka she’s looking so locked in tonight [Music] another smart change up from Garcia not going for the pace but just the slice to put it in a difficult position for Osaka she had to get down really low not able to get the spin come over that ball enough so Garcia having a bit of fun on her side now Advantage Garcia he went to that abbreviated service motion Garcia about Midway through her career and I think it’s better for her I think she’s seems really comfortable and confident with it because first part of her career could get a bit inconsistent it was more of a a usual back swing and service motion that’s a good hold in the end so a little bit of a shift in the scoreboard here two games to to love Garcia and it looks like more frustrated kind of dejected Osaka getting broke in the first game of this set and it looked like she had control and then having opportunities to break back and not getting it so it’s bit of a hard reset for Osaka here thank you’re right CH she probably feel a little hard done by she’s had game points both of these games could easily be 632 love and in cruise control it’s back to the drawing board wow that’s a huge a huge swing the good part about carollyn L Garcia’s mindset is she can let go of some of these kinds of Misses come right back and make the same [Music] move third always enjoyed hasn’t she returning up on the baseline or inside the Baseline really from early days in her career she’s actually staying back a little further a lot of times she’s inside the Baseline well inside the Baseline but she’s got to respect Osaka’s serve her ability to get just a little more kick on the ball Pace as [Music] well game so it’s a love service hold for Naomi she has the first set but it is1 Garcia second set [Music] a bit of a steadying game there for Naomi Osaka on her necklace name of her daughter Shai able to keep a positive mindset and you mentioned at Josh you see it in her body language trying to project and stay positive with her mindset and that’s a big part of you know coming back and continuing to improve and work your way into top level in terms of your your match toughness time that’s a beautiful sight isn’t it over this fantastic venue here at Melbourne Park day two here at the Australian Open and we are well into the night session where it’s a two-time former Champion Naomi Asaka with the first set and Caroline Garcia with a break in the second [Applause] it love [Applause] you think about how well Caroline Garcia can hit the ball when she’s on balance but Osaka’s working to get her stretched out to get her leaning or lunging just a bit more where she can get a few more of those kinds of Misses yeah serve well tonight the first serve percentage is high 82% that’s a really good number [Music] that’s another one of those shots where garc falling backwards and maybe when she’s got a few more matches under her belt she’s a little more confident she can come closer to making those shots but another Miss from that position that is a well constructed point the change up using the slice and then going back to her Top Spin yeah it’s a an effective shot isn’t it that slice it stays low it shoots through juice advantage h gcia [Music] [Applause] game Garcia that’s good kick isn’t it from Garcia good variation just getting it up high Garcia leads three games to one for oaka and keeps a a hold of this break here 3-1 yeah she’s tightened it up a little bit Garcia in this second set terms of the unfor stairs playing overall pretty high percentage tennis well I do think Chand that she knows that her game style is AG as aggression and big hitting she’s seems very comfortable with making a few extra unforced errors and and getting back to the job and a lot of players that would really bother them but I think her attitude’s been great tonight as well Garcia yeah and I think for Garcia it’s about playing first strike tennis when you think about this second set and right now about halfway through but Osaka with just one winner in this second set in the first they were coming a lot quicker and I think part of that has to do with Garcia just being a little clearer on the aggressive style that she’s trying to play can Osaka have just an easier service game here game certainly does have an easier service game it’s a love hold Garcia though with the lead 32 seconds set to yeah overall it’s Caroline Garcia that wants to be the one with the say in in rallies and that’s a lot more difficult against a player hitting the ball like Osaka but we see in I think in this second set her just trying to press a little more in that department and started with that first break of serve for Garcia to start this second set that gave her a little more of a boost so I think a part of it is also just a bit more positive energy from the French woman [Music] [Applause] time well it’s women’s first round action here at the Australian Open Naomi Asaka off to a great start in the first set 63 looked like she was going to go on with that early in the second but it’s been a fight back here from Caroline Garcia up a break and leading [Applause] 3-2 5 Love [Applause] [Music] 3 love [Music] severe angle from Osaka just what she needed trying to open up the court perfect way to do it one of the positives of the Garcia game is that she knows exactly how she needs to play always looking and pushing forward that means no hesitation such a skillful player Garcia she’s she’s done it all had such success in doubles as well yeah well done Caroline Garcia 4-2 Garcia leads for two are you surprised that Garcia hasn’t done a little better in a grand slam throughout her career well you maybe a final of I know it’s a big ask to win a grand slam but yeah I think at one point definitely would have said no question I she’s gotten to a major semi gotten to quarterfinals just got into the round of of 16 of of all four round of 16 are better but with her game and certainly when she got to the semi-final of the the US Open you could see her playing at that level winning a major yes shots like that [Applause] that yeah just wonder look how far inside the court she was that’s more of the return position we’ve seen in Garcia when she’s been at her best [Music] 14 15 [Music] oh brilliant what a pickup how did she make that shot I mean Osaka had control until the very last ball that is one for the High lights reel have a look at this squash shot forehand here on N range that’s how I felt game makes no mistake of it and she’s staying in touch in this second set of Saka it’s 43 Garcia Garcia to [Applause] three good Cod coverage here from oaka as well just showing that he’s also capable of something special here and both players have done a nice job on serve oaka just the one break point she faced and Garcia able to get the break to start this second set but before and since it’s been pretty solid Garcia maintain this level down the stretch of this second set [Music] time a shot back into the city here from Melbourne [Applause] park that’s a good crowd still in I’ve really loved day two here at the Australian Open Novak jovic getting a win a little earlier in the men’s thank you we think of Garcia’s game is maybe a little more high risk because she hits big she takes the ball early sometimes sh hopping it that adds to the difficulty of these shots but it’s the way that Garcia has found to be most successful in her game as she talked about this during that 2022 season second half of the season when she shot back up the ranks but it was that kind of clarity in terms of her game accepting the misses and getting right back to hitting big [Applause] [Music] [Applause] second [Applause] continues to squeeze some of the space that Osaka has to hit into and that Miss see the irritation she’s been great mentally all all match and this is the first time we’re just seeing maybe not not frustration but not as up and about [Music] [Applause] it’s one of those matches though that can change very quickly and both players have to realize that because the other can create so much off of their racket change the momentum with one swing so sometimes the irritation whatever a little frustration we might see comes from from understanding that neither wants to allow the other to get ahead of steam but right now this match still very much in the balance as Garcia is trying to take it the distance love te [Applause] [Applause] 13 you can see just a little difference in Osaka quickly coming out of her serve getting behind a few more of those shots some of it’s a little more Pace from Garcia 153 yeah she Dr the hold on here wouldn’t she Naomi a ccle just to get one more opportunity on return [Applause] feel like this is such a big tatch for both players just to Kickstart their year [Music] that’s she’s afraid of serving to the Garcia back end on a second serve she knows the ball’s going to come back hard and quick so set point now for Garcia [Music] what a way to wrap it up in the second set Caroline Garcia one set we’re a one set [Applause] [Music] old that’s just the type of tendis that Caroline Garcia was searching for was just a little bit off in the first set wasn’t quite at Full Throttle but has turned it on in the second and you some difference in the numbers for Garcia a little bit better the points one behind her first serve and still a good percentage of first serves look at the drop off though in Osaka’s first serve percentage to 29% Garcia was able to take advantage of that with some second serves especially on set point and the winner stun four stairs that was a big change in the second set as well with Garcia so much more clean conversely Osaka with double the unforced STS as winners so often in the second set we saw Garcia stepping in leaning on the ball she started stepping way in on second serves further in than she had been in the first set and that kept the pressure on Osaka just didn’t give her as much space to [Applause] breathe to close out the set just what the doctor [Applause] ordered second set and will serve first in the third just lacking a little bit of margin at the moment oaka in some of these shots there’re they’re not missing by much but that just tells me he just needs a little more shape on the shot when you look at a match like this and you try to pinpoint what has changed and certainly Garcia has been cleaner she’s been able to hit big and be a little bit more consistent that has allowed Osaka to did not be able to get behind as many shots as she was doing in the first set so you see some some of the shots like that where she didn’t quite get up to it she’s just a step slower from how big she is trying to hit it and when you’re not quite behind the ball that can be a disaster when you’re trying to still hit as big as Osaka is it’s hard to tell Josh if it’s maybe more physical or if it’s more mental certainly a combination with what Garcia’s throwing out there but just seems to be more of a struggle for Osaka physically to get in the position that she’s trying to get into a little bit of a m hit on the forehand but Osaka will take it yeah I just feel maybe Asaka so so intent on the result or getting the win she sort of that middle bit the the process of just doing it and doing things very well just gone away from that refraction game it’s a good start for Garcia once again first game final set just needs to be a little more patient I would have thought Asaka yeah Asaka having a few words with her coach Patrick morao there as she needs to figure out a way to steady herself at the beginning of this set this is what where she struggled beginning of the second dropping her serve early never recovered it’s not easy to maintain a positive energy and positive demeanor when you’re under so much pressure as Osaka has been yeah this is a real interesting stage I feel chander if Garcia can keep on a roll she’s she’s looking good at the moment I think Garcia just with the upper hand come on 15 [Applause] [Music] love oh she made that the angle from Garcia out of almost [Applause] [Music] nowhere my goodness well we know what she’s capable of that’s got to be frustrating that that’s an excellent serve that’s the serve she wants because she gets the slider wide she she knows Garcia is not taking a big cut at it this is where Osaka’s got to be careful because that like that last forehand that was an all or nothing she was going for the winner didn’t want to have to play multiple shots behind that ball and you mentioned it Josh she’s got to be a little more patient even when she’s going for it that’s a better Rally from masaka more shape more patience thir it’s so easy to want to hit the knockout blow to hit the winner and be done with the point but because she can she she she can but at this stage she’s got to build back a little bit and except where she is right now well serve the one serve Chand we haven’t seen asaki use much is the body [Applause] serve the body forehand maybe just tie up Asaka stop her from having a big swing that’s great shot great depth and a good response from masaka when she needs it one0 third set one game on it is not easy to have the discipline you need against an opponent that you know can go from defense to offense with one swing but that is exactly what Osaka was able to do in that last service game [Applause] [Applause] again complaining about that shot but it’s all electronic calling she you saw differently I don’t she’s not agreeing with the with the calling but I don’t think she’s wrong on that one actually 30 l [Applause] [Music] oh that’s nicely done a little more finesse from Osaka to go go along with the power got in position early and that’s been one of the differences the last couple of games so she had a little time and didn’t just go for Pace but got around the outside of that [Music] forehand that’s what I L from a cycle when she doesn’t try and change direction she goes across her body it’s a a safer shot it’s a more of a percentage play so when you’re starting to make a few too many unfor servs just revert back to the safest and the easiest or your best shot and that’s it right there for Asaka [Music] oh that’s brilliant but I think this is where Osaka has to be careful that she’s not just going big but pretty close to the middle I mean that’s what Garcia is looking for where she doesn’t have to move north east west very far B that was a difficult shot wasn’t it the slice forehand that stays low oaka not only does she get down low enough but she’s gone back inside in on the on a low back and this is a pretty difficult shot to execute look how low Asaka got down well it started with the forehand and her ability to just open up a little more Court little more space some it’s a simple game plan but it’s not easy to execute was Saka now with a break point that’s a good fight back from aaka and she finds herself in front in this third set 2-1 [Music] what a terrific series of points from Osaka [Applause] starting with the hold of serve really give herself some momentum a springboard for this elevated level that she has found the last couple of games us to this is where you are Osaka you realize what you just did those two games didn’t give Garcia two balls in the middle of the Court back to back focused on moving the ball creating some open space time [Music] that’s been all quality tonight here especially on Rod laa Arena where Naomi aaka has wrestled the lead back in this match it’s 2-1 with a break third set her attitude’s been fabulous she’s just last five or six minutes really brought this crowd to life [Applause] 15 l [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] on and there’s some Expos osure for Osaka when she has to throw in that second serve that one is Sublime focus on getting the first serve in but Osaka not quite hitting the Target and it’s Garcia with a slight opening [Applause] to 134 [Applause] [Music] the redirect instinctive from Asaka and that’s a great response especially down break point you just see she’s working so hard just to maintain this lead would love would love the win but you just got to find a way to earn it and she’s battling so well here Asaka Woulda imagine that this is a first round given the the emotion that she’s showing Osaka that’s one measure yeah that’s right it’s got to feel good saving a break point and consolidating 3-1 set there are some matches first round matches where you know you have to bring your best level you’ve got to bring a high level of intensity you don’t have time to work your way into the tournament this this is one of those matches you saw it when the draw came out these two well aware based on the history between them have split their previous four meetings and this one is the toughest one yet in this third set [Music] 50 low [Applause] that’s nicely done by Garcia you can see Osaka working on margin just trying to get it wide enough not give Garcia anything she could step in on and Garcia still found a terrific angle [Music] [Applause] these are the types of games if you are Osaka you just have to say too good if she can serve this way and play behind the serve it’s what she’s supposed to do she’s supposed to hold and Osaka just get back to doing the same but in the meantime if you are Osaka you don’t make it any easier honor just keep pushing the envelope that way seeing if Garcia can respond what G still staying in touch here Garcia but it is Naomi Asaka with a break leading 3-2 final set this match has gotten good in terms of both players playing at a good level a high level at the same time started seeing it the second game of this third set where OS Saka responded and pushed back now it just seems like it may be a stretch run to the end Saka of course with the advantage if she can continue to hold serve feel like there’s a few more twists there could be could be I think it’s it’s it’s you know when you’re sitting down there at 32 you think well it’s only 12 points away but it it’s a long way away yeah it really is especially when you haven’t you know you haven’t had accumulation of winds time it’s been a shootout this one so faraka quick out of the gates nabbing the first set 63 equal Garcia with the second and just up a break now Naomi Saka service 32 final set that wide serve has been valuable for both players they are each trying to get the other Hitting off balance especially on that forehand side 15 all [Applause] [Music] it’s that type of point that makes Garcia so tough to play against you know Osaka working to try to stay neutral trying not to give up positioning and Garcia finds an angle through force of will [Music] oh it’s not all power it’s finesse as well couple of break points here for Garcia now here’s a Twist you were talking about Josh I just it it’s so hard to to win isn’t it it sounds sounds like it should be very simple but it this game’s complicated 134 at her best Osaka was able to play these kinds of clutch points on serve he facing another break point oh that’s wild was leaning Garcia was leaning on that forehand [Music] that’s the danger isn’t it you missed your first serve and she returns so well Garcia especially off the backhand side such a simple swing Not A lot’s going to go wrong there [Music] that almost forces Osaka to go for a little more on the second serve and she did there went for The Slider getting it further away from Garcia it’s risky trying to go for that placement on a second but it pays off there Advantage [Applause] OA game second oh had a fight from Naomi Asaka games 42 final set these are the sort of matches that can give you so much confidence if you can just get through them kind of feel like Osaka’s due oh yeah for a big win think about the way she started this year finals in Auckland playing a terrific level of [Applause] tennis think about how well Osaka moved up the rankings last season she was the biggest mover rankings wise out of players ending in the top 100 been paying our dues to get to this moment to get this opportunity and that’s just unplayable no way to respond to that kind of forehand oaka doing everything right and Garcia just comes up with something better for t love [Applause] help [Applause] 14 and in this match both women have to accept a certain number of winners that will come from the other side there nothing they’ve done wrong it’s just the skill level the player on the other side so just stays in touch here Caroline Garcia but it’s aaka still with a break 43 final set I think both girls would have really enjoyed this this match so far irrespective of of course the win or the loss but they both competed so well I’ve been super impressed with Garcia given she hasn’t played since September I think it took her a set Garcia to really settle in catch up to some of the pace off of Osaka’s racket but this is the type of game we’ve seen Garcia play getting the top 10 in the world playing with a bit of joy as well well we’re seeing the smiles that she’s has on her face at times she’s down a break here but she’s maintained pretty positive demeanor so far time some of the past champions and the great champions of the Australian Open and Naomi Asaka a two-time winner here in 19 and 2021 just a couple of games away from a first round win here against Caroline Garcia 15 L that’s a better serve that’s into the body that’s sliding into the body thir 51% of first serves in started off a lot higher [Music] [Applause] 1 15 [Music] another excellent body [Applause] serve it’s the one that’s the one that’s a the serve that just stops Garcia from having a really big swing at these second serves and it’s been good IQ from Osaka just to put that change in in these last few service games sorry let for service game just one game away now the former champ three [Applause] [Applause] Lo 15am [Applause] f love 13 just a few too many unforced errors here for Garcia in this third set that’s been costly and just two points away now Naomi isaka it’s impressive what a way to bring up match point for Naomi Saka love 14 she got a little tentative there Osaka 154 haven’t seen her pull off of her shots that way back away from her shots that way but she’s got couple more opportunities [Music] Naomi oaka is back big time that is a great win had to fight hard 63 36 63 this is a well tested match up between these two a fifth time playing and it’s Osaka who takes the lead in the head-to-head it was an impressive match the way she came out moving well hitting big controlling play things shifted in that second set and Osaka had to shift with it against a game Caroline Garcia but Osaka did just that she got back to dictating more winners than unforced erors down the stretch and Garcia didn’t play badly just couple of shots here or there where she missed her opportunities but so much of it was about Naomi Osaka excellent performance from this young lady and if she can continue with that type of form we’ll see a lot more of her racing back up the rankings this was a quality match at one point we had both players finding a high level and it was Osaka in the end who gets the win congratulations Naomi what a great match great ball striking from both of you but it was the same core same opponent 12 months later what was so different about today what do you feel were the changes that you made 12 months on um I mean I think I grinded on the tour a little bit um but yeah I feel like it’s it’s a really big coincidence that I’m playing her again um but yeah I just tried to do my best and I know we played night match last time as well so um it felt a little familiar and it was a match where you knew what you were going to get almost both of you hit the ball so big but did it help you the fact that you’ve already made a final this year just recently in in Oakland to have that match practice behind you coming into a really tough first round yeah definitely I think um just being able to play so many matches in New Zealand and then coming here um obviously I had to withdraw from the final because I got injured and uh I didn’t serve too many times before this match but um I’m really happy with how it went for someone who didn’t serve very much before the match it looked like the was just fine but catching a couple of ball tosses did you feel like that was maybe just because of a lack of practice over the last few days um yeah a little bit I also think it was a little windy but um overall I’m just really grateful to I guess get the opportunity to play on Rod Laver again I was a little shocked when I saw the schedule and um it’s a really big honor for me so thank you guys for sticking around um yeah I just I really hope that um I get the chance to play in front of you all again and thank you for the support and lastly tennis and life on tour can sometimes be so all consuming but I’m sure you’ve had home on your mind recently you’ve been a resident in Los Angeles for many years now is there a message that maybe you want to send back home and to the community and all your friends and family there yeah um it’s so funny I was watching the fire map and the fire is like three blocks from my house so um I had someone go and get my daughter’s birth certificate and all that cuz I didn’t know what would happen if that burned down but um I guess sending all my love to LA and I know we hear about fires but for me in particular I didn’t know like how devastating it could be and um yeah I just hope everyone’s doing well and I’m sending them all my love so many ALS are sending you their love as well congratulations though through to the second round we look forward to seeing you back out here thank you thank you guys have a good night [Music]

Watch the full match of Naomi Osaka v Caroline Garcia in the first round of the Australian Open 2025.

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