Australian Open 2022: Naomi Osaka on courtroom as grand slam begins with out Novak Djokovic – reside! | Sport

Second set: Osaka 6-3, 5-3 Osorio* (*denotes subsequent server) Osaka is convincingly successful the unforced error depend up to now at the moment 27-14. The newest one comes early on this sport, however the defending champion nonetheless holds and strikes to inside a sport of the second spherical.

Second set: *Osaka 6-3, 4-3 Osorio (*denotes subsequent server) But Osorio is staying in contact and displaying a beautiful contact at that, with a fragile clip over the web at shut quarters that Osaka has no reply to because the Colombian seals this seventh sport of the second set.

Second set: Osaka 6-3, 4-2 Osorio* (*denotes subsequent server) I’m unsure if Osaka is having fun with this, however she’s grinding it out and inching nearer to victory. One other service sport, one other sport nearer to a spot within the second spherical. Osorio’s depth has dropped barely, and she will be able to’t afford that towards probably the greatest gamers on this planet.

Second set: *Osaka 6-3, 3-2 Osorio (*denotes subsequent server) Osorio seals her subsequent service sport with an ace to remain on Osaka’s coattails.

Second set: Osaka 6-3, 3-1 Osorio* (*denotes subsequent server) In the meantime, Osaka confirms that break of serve and opens up a two-game lead.

There’s a giant story over on Courtroom Three, the place Australian wildcard Aleksandar Vukic has brought on a shocking upset, beating South Africa’s thirtieth seed Lloyd Harris in 4 units. Vukic, 25, is ranked 144 on this planet. Not a nasty technique to make your grand slam debut.

Second set: *Osaka 6-3, 2-1 Osorio (*denotes subsequent server) Osorio is definitely the extra vocal of the 2 on the market – she lets out an enormous roar after successful the primary level right here. However silence quickly follows as her serve goes a bit skewiff and three straight double fault reward Osaka two break possibilities. She wants each however will get the job carried out on the second. The defending champion noses forward as soon as once more.

Second set: Osaka 6-3, 1-1 Osorio* (*denotes subsequent server) One other fist bump right here from Osorio. The momentum appears to be with the lower-ranked participant as Osaka lands a forehand out and the Colombian attracts degree at 30-30. Osaka’s forehand once more lets her down and she or he has to dig deep to stave off a break level. That sequence repeats itself – poor Osaka forehand, break level alternative, good save by Osaka – earlier than the Japanese lastly manages to carry her serve. An enormous maintain, that one.

Second set: *Osaka 6-3, 0-1 Osorio (*denotes subsequent server) Osorio’s ascension continues with a comparatively snug service sport. Very a lot completely different to her first service sport of the opening set. Certainly this can be a completely different match now Osorio has hit her straps.

First set: Osaka 6-3 Osorio* (*denotes subsequent server) “Vamos” is the cry as Osario delivers a good looking backhand winner to convey up two break level alternatives. She’s pumped right here! However each slip by the wayside and an Osaka set level arrives after a booming ace from the Japanese. She takes it – and breathes a sigh of aid. The defending champion was made to work then as Osorio discovered her ft, however the writing was already on the wall. Osaka takes the primary set!

First set: *Osaka 5-3 Osorio (*denotes subsequent server) Osorio has the wind in her sails now – she seems to be lifeless and buried on the second level of this sport however places the strain on Osaka’s overhead volley once more and one way or the other wins the purpose. She builds on that to carry serve and also you get the sense she’s settling into life on Rod Laver Area now. Fast notice on Osaka’s overhead sport – it’s not been nice up to now.

First set: Osaka 5-2 Osorio* (*denotes subsequent server) Properly, have a look at this. At 30-30, Osaka utterly misjudges an overhead volley on the internet – she affords herself a smile because the absurdity of the eventual shot – and Osorio takes full benefit to bag her second sport of the match on the following level.

First set: *Osaka 5-1 Osorio (*denotes subsequent server) An enormous cheer emanates from the sparsely-populated stands on Rod Laver Area as Osorio lastly will get herself on the scoreboard. Hopefully the Colombian can take some confidence from that – and a few errors from Osaka.

First set: Osaka 5-0 Osorio* (*denotes subsequent server) Make {that a} five-game lead. Completely no messing about from Osaka on this quickfire sport as she lands one other ace on her approach. This has been very spectacular from the defending champion up to now.

First set: *Osaka 4-0 Osorio (*denotes subsequent server) Osorio threatens to bother the scoreboard however the Colombian just isn’t helped by a double fault that lets Osaka again in at deuce. A few factors later and Osaka is 4 video games to the nice and cruising.

First set: Osaka 3-0 Osorio* (*denotes subsequent server) Osaka’s received her groove on already right here. She throws down a primary ace of the match earlier than forcing Osario into a few errors to open up a three-game lead early on.

First set: *Osaka 2-0 Osorio (*denotes subsequent server) Osaka provides an early indication of her energy with a few ferocious forehand winners early in Osorio’s opening service sport. The Colombian doesn’t actually get better and Osaka claims the primary break of the day.

First set: Osaka 1-0 Osorio* (*denotes subsequent server) Osaka’s first serve is wayward, however she finds her vary fairly quickly after that and the Japanese takes the opening sport to like. A lightweight smattering of applause from the centre courtroom crowd follows.

Ranked 50 on this planet, the up-and-coming Camila Osorio faces a giant take a look at of her credentials at the moment. The 20-year-old, who’s but to win a WTA title, is making her Australian Open debut and would in all probability desire to be dealing with a unique opponent. However right here she is. Each gamers at the moment are out on courtroom, warming up, and we’ll be beneath approach quickly sufficient.

So, all eyes flip to four-time grand slam winner and defending champion Naomi Osaka, the world No 14, ranked 13 in Melbourne this yr. Osaka is coming off a break from the sport for psychological well being causes, after the Japanese dramatically pulled out of final yr’s French Open in what was one of many largest tales in sport of 2021. She’s going to kick off the defence of her title in Melbourne towards Colombia’s Camila Osorio with one thing of a brand new outlook on tennis.

“I simply wish to really feel like each time I step on the courtroom I’m having enjoyable,” she stated on the weekend. “I can stroll off the courtroom figuring out that even when I misplaced, I attempted as onerous as I may. I simply really feel like for me, I’m the kind of individual that cared somewhat bit an excessive amount of concerning the outcomes and the rating and stuff like that.

“And I simply must discover a technique to benefit from the sport once more as a result of that’s the explanation why I used to be taking part in within the first place.”

The pair will likely be on courtroom shortly.

Maria Sakkari quickly follows because the fifth seed wins a second-set tie-breaker to beat Tatjana Maria in a single hour and 46 minutes on Rod Laver Area, 6-4, 7-6(2).

Elina Svitolina is thru! The fifteenth seed from Ukraine advances to the second spherical with a 6-1, 7-6(4) win over Fiona Ferro. However she’s not the primary to guide a spot within the subsequent spherical – Camila Giorgi has that honour after the thirtieth seeded Italian accomplished a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Anastasia Potapova on courtroom six. Belinda Bencic can be by way of, a 6-4, 6-3 winner over Kristina Mladenovic.

The fifth seed, Maria Sakkari, is being made to work by the opposite Maria, Tatjana Maria, on Rod Laver Area, the place the Greek has simply held serve to degree at 5-5 within the second set. Now can be a useful time for her to interrupt serve. Reminder: Naomi Osaka is up subsequent on centre courtroom.

Right here’s extra as promised earlier on the Australian prime minister’s commentary on Djokovic, courtesy of our overseas affairs and defence correspondent Daniel Hurst.

Novak Djokovic was deported as a result of he tried to breach entry guidelines on the border, although the immigration minister didn’t dispute the tennis star’s perception he had a legitimate medical exemption.

The Serbian tennis participant boarded an Emirates flight from Melbourne to Dubai on Sunday night time, hours after the total federal courtroom upheld the minister’s determination to cancel Djokovic’s visa.

Morrison stated on Monday the world males’s No 1 had didn’t adjust to “the principles”, that to enter Australia that “you both should be vaccinated or you must have a legitimate medical exemption and present proof of it.”

“It’s so simple as that,” the prime minister instructed 2GB radio. “That is about somebody who sought to come back to Australia and never adjust to the entry guidelines at our border. That’s what that is about.”

Learn the total story right here:

Across the grounds: Canada’s Denis Shapovalov is a arrange towards Laslo Djere after successful a decent first set on a tie-break whereas Australian wildcard Aleksandar Vukic has simply levelled at a set apiece in his conflict with South Africa’s thirtieth seed Lloyd Harris. Fairly presumably the largest cheer of the day as far as the 25-year-old from Sydney received set level there.

Headlining the ladies’s draw for the time being, Maria Sakkari is a arrange however locked at 3-3 within the second towards Tatjana Maria of Germany whereas Elina Svitolina has been pegged again by Fiona Ferro, who’s now serving to degree at one-set all. Swiss twenty second seed Belinda Bencic is 6-2, 4-2 up towards Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic.

The distraction of Djokovic within the run-up to the event has been wide-reaching. Whereas focus has been on the Serb’s visa points, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Rafa Nadal now has a golden likelihood to maneuver out on his personal because the winner of 21 grand slam titles – forward of Djokovic and Roger Federer, who’re additionally on 20. There are different severe contenders in fact – the Large Three now not has a monopoly on main titles – however together with his favorite French Open subsequent up later this yr, the following fortnight may nicely present Nadal with an opportunity to steal a march on his long-time rivals. Nadal is up after Osaka on Rod Laver Area, however not earlier than 2pm native time, towards American Marcos Giron, the world No 66.

John O’Malley has emailed with some ideas on girls’s world No 1 Ash Barty. “Fascinating she didn’t play Sydney. It was a intelligent transfer as there was a extremely robust draw.” Additionally what every week out of the highlight has achieved is that Barty now, maybe weirdly for a world No 1, is flying considerably beneath the radar. Which may change as soon as she hits the Rod Laver Area courtroom in at the moment’s night session, however her preparations should absolutely have benefitted. Will likely be attention-grabbing to see what sort of form she is in tonight.

Over on Margaret Courtroom Area, Elina Svitolina, the world No 16 and seeded 15 right here, is within the combine to grow to be the primary participant to guide a spot within the second spherical after blitzing her opponent and alliteration lovers’ dream Fiona Ferro of France to win the opening set 6-1.

Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison – as certainly just about each politician within the nation – has been requested concerning the Djokovic saga at the moment. Extra on his ideas in a second, however for now, in case you missed it (there’s no approach you probably did), right here’s a useful timeline of how the entire Djokovic saga panned out:

Only a housekeeping notice – we’ll proceed to drift across the grounds till Naomi Osaka will get onto centre courtroom, at which level anticipate a game-by-game report.

A type of in early motion is Carlos Alcaraz, the thrilling 18-year-old Spaniard who regardless of his expertise is certainly NOT the brand new Rafa Nadal. He’s 3-2 up within the first set in his opener towards Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo.

Andrew Benton has emailed in. “What occurred to the seedings with no Djokovic, have they been shifted round, or was there no time for that?” Given the ruling to deport the Serb was made after Monday’s order of play was set on Sunday, the seedings have stayed the identical – it’s the identical males’s draw, simply and not using a prime seed (and with fortunate loser Salvatore Caruso parachuted into Djokovic’s spot). So Daniil Medvedev stays second seed, Alexander Zverev third and so forth.

Followers are submitting into Melbourne Park, however we received’t be seeing packed stands at any stage of the event – ticket gross sales have been final week capped at 50% resulting from Victoria’s surge in Omicron instances. All followers attending the tennis should put on masks.

Climate replace: It’s overcast in Melbourne at the moment, and the mercury is hovering across the 19C mark. Rain just isn’t anticipated at the moment, or certainly for the remainder of the week by the seems to be of it.

Across the floor, first-round matches have began up. Greek fifth seed Maria Sakari is up on Rod Laver, fifteenth seed Elina Svitolina on Margaret Courtroom and Denis Shapovalov, the boys’s 14th seed, on John Caine are amongst these in motion.

With reference to the veteran former world No 1, Murray is again on the Australian Open for the primary time since 2019, when it appeared retirement was on the agenda after the hobbling Scot. Since then, he’s risen, phoenix-like, and even reached the ultimate of final week’s Sydney Worldwide. There’ll be curiosity in how he backs up when he takes on Nikoloz Basilashvili in his first-round match (not at the moment). Right here’s extra from Tumaini Carayol:

As we await the primary serve of the event, unsure anybody would argue with Andy Murray’s summation of the occasions over the previous few weeks: “It feels every thing right here occurred extraordinarily last-minute and that’s why it turned such a large number.”