By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday January 14, 2024

 

Legends young and old will take to the court on Day 2 of the Aussie Open - here's what we're watching.

Photo Source: Mark Peterson/Corleve

Day 2 of the Australian Open is upon us, and there are plenty of stars in action on Monday in Melbourne Park (action starts Sunday in the U.S. at 7 EST and 4 PST).

Here’s what we’ll be watching as the action unfolds…

SEE THE FULL DAY 2 AUSTRALIAN OPEN SCHEDULE HERE

Coco Returns to the Slam Stage

2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff became the first American teenager to win a Slam title since Serena Williams won her maiden major in 1999 at the US Open. Now the 19-year-old seeks to stretch her Grand Slam winning streak and prove to the world that she is a viable contender to win any Slam she plays. After lowkey declaring her desire to win double digit Slam titles in her pre-tournament presser, it’s clear that Gauff believes she can raise the trophy in Melbourne Park.

READ MORE: COCO GAUFF, DOUBLE DIGIT SLAM TITLES?

Her quest begins with a first-round matchup with Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, first up on Rod Laver Arena.

In two previous meetings, the American has not dropped a set against Schmiedlova– Gauff will face American Caroline Dolehide in the second round if she comes through.

The Stan and Andy Show on Kia Arena

Old school fans will want to head out to Kia Arena on Monday in Melbourne, where Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka will seek spots in the second round.

2014 champion Wawrinka faces tricky Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, who recently made his Top 20 debut (at the age of 35, no less!). Five-time finalist Murray faces Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry. At 38 (Wawrinka) and 36 (Muray) respectively, it’s hard to know how many more times these two legends – and three-time major champions and certain Hall of Famers – will grace the Grand Slam stage. Enjoy ‘em while you can.

Naomi Osaka’s Comeback Continues

She’s back! And in good spirits. Comebacks are a big theme on the WTA Tour in 2024, with Caroline Wozniacki, Amanda Anisimova and Elina Svitolina all making comebacks or following through on comebacks that started fairly recently (Svitolina and Wozniacki returned last season), but none is bigger than the return of four-time Grand Slam and two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka.

READ MORE: OSAKA PLANS JAM-PACKED SCHEDULE IN 2024

The 26-year-old, who gave birth to baby Shai on July 3rd, steps right into the fray on Monday, facing France’s Caroline Garcia, the No.16 seed, in a highly anticipated affair.

Osaka split two matches at Brisbane last week, and feels very hopeful about the state of her game heading into Melbourne. She is also feeling inspired in general, and appears to be returning to the sport for all the right reasons. Mental health has been a concern in the past, but Osaka has worked hard to find her purpose in the sport.

She owns a 27-5 lifetime record at the Australian Open and won her only previous meeting with Garcia, at the Australian Open in 2021.