Australian Open: Medvedev, Gauff Advance As Osaka Prepares for Comeback

Daniil Medvedev, a two-time finalist, and US Open champion Coco Gauff smoothly progressed to the second round of the Australian Open on Monday.

However, Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova faced an early exit.

Facing challenging conditions on Margaret Court Arena, third seed Medvedev overcame French qualifier Terence Atmane, who retired in tears due to severe cramping. Medvedev won 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 1-0 and is set to face Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in the next round.

Men’s seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and 16th seed Ben Shelton secured victories, while women’s fourth seed Coco Gauff defeated Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-3, 6-0. Gauff expressed nerves but delivered good tennis, setting up a clash with unseeded American Caroline Dolehide.

However, Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova faced a 6-1, 6-2 loss to Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska. Vondrousova cited injuries and acknowledged her opponent’s good match.

In the evening session, the spotlight is on Naomi Osaka’s Grand Slam comeback against 16th-seeded Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia. Osaka, who took a break in 2022, returns to Melbourne after giving birth and expressed a positive and grateful mindset.

Other matches include local hope Alex de Minaur against Milos Raonic, and appearances by Andy Murray and women’s sixth seed Ons Jabeur.