The Spaniard and the Japanese had shown their good form during the preparation tournaments for the Australian Major: the first won the ATP 250 in Melbourne and the second had climbed into the semis of the WTA 250 in Melbourne before declaring package for an abdominal injury.

They both confirmed on Monday: in the absence of Novak Djokovic, three-time defending champion expelled the day before, Nadal is a strong candidate to take the record for Grand Slam titles to 21 and Osaka, although falling back to 14th in the world , is here to retain his title.

"It's hard to say where I am compared to my best level", estimated Nadal, 5th in the world, after rolling over the American Marcos Giron (66th) 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.

If the match lasted 1h49 (including 49 minutes for the second set alone), it is because the 35-year-old Spaniard committed a few unforced errors (26), especially in the second set (17), which allowed his opponent to stay on the court a little longer.

But not really in the game.

Powerful, efficient, mobile, Nadal seems to have recovered well from the foot injury which forced him to end his 2021 season in early August, as well as from the Covid which put him flat in December.

"I'm playing better and better," he agreed.

The next to judge will be the Greek Thanasi Kokkinakis (103rd and guest) or the German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann (126th).

"State of mind"

Osaka quietly dismissed Colombian Camila Osorio (50th) 6-3, 6-3.

Japanese Naomi Osaka against Colombian Camila Osorio in the 1st round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 17 Brandon MALONE AFP

And both her game and her behavior on the court tend to prove that the depression that handicapped her last season is over.

"It's only the first round and what I remember is not the victory but my state of mind," she said.

Now she is having fun on the court, like this completely missed smash she smiled at.

"I'm here because I want to be there and because I'm having fun. And I'm aware that I have to enjoy it while there's still time," said the 24-year-old player with four major titles (Open Australia 2019 and 2021, US Open 2018 and 2020).

But managing to laugh at his faults is not yet "automatic", recognized the former world No.1, explaining that she was still in the process of "changing her state of mind".

In any case, the greater lightness with which she approaches tennis has allowed her to add a weapon to her arsenal: the cut backhand.

Australian Open 2022 AFP

"I've always worked on it but I didn't feel comfortable enough to use it in matches. But I try not to really worry if I foul on a backhand cut and I know that , little by little, I will succeed better and better at this shot”, she explained.

Thundering monfils

The first day in Melbourne should also see the entries in the running of the world N.1 Ashleigh Barty against the Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko (119th and qualifying result), for the first match of the night session on the Rod Laver court.

And the program on the main court will end with the debut of one of the contenders for the men's title, the German Alexander Zverev (3rd) who will be opposed to his compatriot Daniel Altmeier (87th).

In the French camp, four passed the first round: Gaël Monfils (20th), who was thunderous against Federico Coria (64th) 6-1, 6-1, 6-3, Adrian Mannarino (69th), who struggled five sets to dismiss James Duckworth (49th) 6-4, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, Benjamin Bonzi (65th), who had a blistering start to beat Peter Gojowczyk (82nd) 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, and Harmony Tan (107th), who clearly dominated Yulia Putintseva (42nd) 6-3, 6-3.

Frenchman Gael Monfils against Argentinian Federico Coria in the 1st round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 17 Martin KEEP AFP

They will be joined by Corentin Moutet (100th) or Lucas Pouille (160th) who faced each other on Monday.

On the contrary, the adventure quickly ended for Kristina Mladenovic, Fiona Ferro and Diane Parry, beaten by stronger than them.

© 2022 AFP