That concludes our coverage, but plenty more where that came from with Emma Radacanu in action on Tuesday, plus Cam Norrie and local interest in Alex de Minaur. Plus news and features to come from Melbourne.
Here’s our stories from Melbourne today:
Osaka speaks after her first-round win: “Just being able to play many matches in Auckland helped me. I didn’t serve too many times before this match because of the injury. I’m grateful to get the opportunity to play on Rod Laver Arena again.”
“We’ll see, I really don’t know at all,” says Paul of his damaged shoulder. “Chris can absolutely bring it, and I had to bring some of my best tennis.”
Paul rushes to 0-30 on that O’Connell serve, the second time with a backhand. And then on second serve, Paul wins out in a rally. O’Connell nets. Three match points, and then, O’Connell can’t find anything on to find a way back. Paul looks exhausted but he’s done it.
The latest from Melbourne
Garcia’s serve is malfunctioning at the wrong time. 0-30, then 0-40. Three match points. The first is saved. No chance on the second, and Osaka is back, and through to the second round.
The noise on court between O’Connell and Paul turns to oohs when O’Connell almost knocks the ump’s block off with a skewed backhand. Paul takes it to 6-5, and O’Connell must serve to take this minor classic to 6-6.
Osaka is 4-3 up and serving, not totally fluid, but she gets it done. Garcia must serve to stay in the match.
O’Connell serves to stay in the match, and with an ace, takes himself to game point. Then misses a backhand down the line. At deuce, he and Paul skid all over the court, and we are back to advantage O’Connell. He takes it. 5-5 in the fifth.
Two games left on court, and it’s Tuesday in Melbourne.
Righto, my watch is over; here’s John Brewin to guide through the staggering denouements.
A big, quick hold for Garcia, to 15 for 2-3, keeps the pressure on Osaka, who’s handling it well. But as the finishing line nears, the tightness might increase, a backhand thrashed long at 15-0 followed by a fine forehand winner while back peddling giving Garcia 15-30. And have a look! A terrific backhand return raises two break-back points … both of them saved. To deuce we go, whereupon Garcia clobbers a fantastic backhand return that Osaka can’t get near … but again, she restores deuce and quickly closes out for 4-2 in the fifth while, on Kia, Paul thunders down a monumental second-serve ace then slaps down an overhead to lead 5-4, also in the fifth.
Tommy Paul has not gone! He dredges up first serves when he needs them most, secures his hold, and accepts more pain relief before sitting down, slumped. I’m in awe of the love, devotion and suffering these guys are providing for our entertainment; Paul leads 4-3 in the fifth.
Has Paul gone? From the disappointment of not breaking to 0-4o down, a monstrous forehand winner down the line moving him to applaud his opponent. The American, though, is a very serious competitor and soon makes 30-40, O’Connell then swiping a return long when offered a second serve. So they go to deuce while, on Laver, Osaka consolidates through deuce to lead Garcia 3-1 in the third.
A forehand return from Osaka incites Garcia to mishit, and when she lands another decent one, Garcia nets! The two-time champ leads 2-1 in the decider with a break, and as we suspected she might, she looks to be finding what she needs.
Paul, though, cannot force a break, O’Connell again hanging in there to level the fifth at 3-3.
A backhand to the corner followed by a forehand that breaks the sideline gives Osaka 30-15 on the Garcia serve, and another forehands] winner, as her opponent comes in, makes 30-all. Pressure! But a clever forehand, looped into the backhand corner, raises game-point … than an even cleverer wrongfooting backhand from Osaka earns deuce. This is so tense now, likewise on Kia where O’Connell is also at deuce on serve in the decider, having saved two break points at 2-3.
We’re on serve on Kia, Paul up 3-2 in the fifth, but O’Connell has the crowd behind him and the rallies are ever-more punishing.
From 40-0, Garcia finds herself at 40-30, second serve, escaping when Osaka can’t properly get after it before netting a backhand. She’s making too many unforced errors, but as long as she holds her serve will remain nothing more than a blazing winner or two away from taking charge again. Garcia leads 1-0 in the third.
Serving at 30-all, Osaka goes long on the forehand and must now face set-point … converted when Garcia runs around her backhand to clout back a tame second serve. She takes the second set 6-3 and we will now enjoy the decider we deserve.
Up 30-0, Garcia hooks a backhand wide, inviting Osaka into the game, but at 40-30 a return drops long and at 3-6 5-3 she’s a game away from forcing a decider. On Kia, meantime, it’s 1-1 in the fifth, Paul’s left shoulder clearly causing him discomfort – but presumably not that much given he didn’t take a break for treatment, unless he figures it’ll get stiffer if he stops playing.
Back on Laver, Garcia remains a set down and a break up, leading 4-3 in the second. The points are getting longer too, which I guess helps her given Osaka’a propensity to end them suddenly.
Now then! Out of nowhere, having been down two min-breaks and almost out of the tournament. O’Connell forces two set points at 6-4, Paul really struggling with his shoulder-knack. But he saves the first via overhead … only for a succession of brutal groundstrokes to claim the set for the Aussie! We’re going all the way!
Garcia, though serves out to secure 3-6 3-1, and though it does still feel like Osaka will at some point do what she needs to do to win, this is a decent contest. On Kia, Paul leads O’Connell 4-2…
Serving at 2-1 in the second, Osaka makes 15-all so Garcia responds with an ace out wide … neutered with a shanked forehand. But her backhand takes control of the next point, one to the deuce corner then another into the advantage raising game point. But a netted backhand brings us to deuce while, on Kia, Paul holds easily enough to set up a fourth-set breaker.
Back on Kia, O’Connell holds for 6-5 in the fourth, then Paul has the trainer work on his left shoulder, which is giving him grief on the backhand. Meantime the crowd entertain themselves, and there’s quite an atmosphere going now.
Osaka raises an immediate break-back point at 30-40 but after some weapons-grade backhands she overhits one and from there, Garcia closes out for 3-6 2-0. So Osaka takes some advice from her courtside coach then gets back under way, and i can’t decide if I like this new wrinkle or if I prefer the payers being on their own out there.
And then, at 15-30, Paul swipes a forehand wide; two break-back points for O’Connell … who only needs one! Paul then indicates a need for the trainer, his shoulder giving him gyp, while Osaka, also down break point, goes long on the backhand! Garcia trails 3-6 1-0.
Back on Kia, Tommy Paul is serving for the match at 5-4 in the fourth, but finds himself down 0-30…
She meets Destanee Aiava next and it’s lovely to see her still in the sport – she’d planned to retire at the end of 2024 to start a family, but that’s not on the cards currently and her struggle with endometriosis has relented a little, allowing her to compete.
Osaka creams a backhand return that gives her 0-40 and three set points, then rehearses the shot a few times before punishing a deep backhand that Garcia can’t return. That completes a very fine set for the 2019 and 2021 champ, and I don’t really see what can be done to stop her here.
A lovely return, down the line from out of court, gives Garcia the sniff of a sniff at 30-15, and a double makes 40-30, but a brutal service-winner secures a crucial hold. Osaka leads 5-3 and looks pretty good out there.
Osaka consolidates and both players will, I’d wager, know that if she’s at her best, her opponent has little for her. But a hold to 15 keeps Garcia in the set at 3-4…
By the way, these two have become mates in recent times. They weren’t especially cordial a few years ago, but a succession of matches together has brought them closer; Osaka’s appearance on Garcia’s pod is worth a look-in.
Osaka raises break point at 30-40 and Garcia wilts first, netting a forehand. The former champ leads 3-2 and if she can get in front, you’d back her to see this out.
We’re now at 2-2, both players serving well and settling in. Meantime, Collins is serving at 7-6 5-1, Snigur not long for this match, and Paul leads O’Connell 2-1 3-1.
Osaka said pre-match that mentally, she feels better than for ages, and a two-tie champ here, knows she’s capable of beating everyone. “But what are her trainers doing?” I hear you cry. Well, I need to close-up for detail, but in the meantime, this:
She holds for 1-1.
We’re away on Laver, Garcia holding for 1-0, while Paul, up 2-1, breaks O’Connell for 1-0 in the fourth. He’s in total control now.
