What to Watch from the 2024 Australian Open: Naomi Osaka returns on Day 2

The volume of matches increases on day two at Melbourne Park, from 32 to 56, and the number of must-see contests rises as well. Whether you’re on the grounds, watching live late at night halfway around the world, or catching the replays the next day, this will be a busy session for the wandering tennis fan. Here’s our guide to a semi-manic first Monday.

Coco aims to keep that summer feeling alive

• [4] Coco Gauff vs. Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, first on Rod Laver Arena (day)

Gauff kicks off the day session in Rod Laver Arena, which means she’ll play in prime time back in the States. Since her mind-altering first-round loss at Wimbledon last year, she has been the WTA’s best player, going 29-4 and winning her first major and first Masters 1000.

Still, as with her fellow 2023 supernova, Jannik Sinner, I’ve been skeptical that Gauff can remain at that stratospheric level in 2024. So far, I’m wrong: She’s 5-0, with a title and a tough win over Elina Svitolina. She’s also 2-0 against her opponent, Schmiedlova. Winner: Gauff

Shelton goes back to where it all began

• [16] Ben Shelton vs. Roberto Bautista Agut, second on 1573 Arena

U.S. fans may choose to leave Laver and go to the 1573 Arena, where Shelton will return to the site of his 2023 breakthrough. Last year, in his first trip overseas, the Florida rookie ran all the way to the quarters. Now he’ll try to defend those ranking points.

Shelton, the No. 16 seed, has had more success since then, and his supersonic serve and love for the big stage could take him well into the second week. But the gritty, 35-year-old Bautista Agut will do everything he can to spoil that party before it starts. Winner: Shelton

The Demon tries to shoot down The Missile

• [10] Alex de Minaur vs. Milos Raonic, first on Rod Laver Arena (night)

Laver is the place to be for the night session, which will begin with this year’s Aussie hope, Alex de Minaur, trying to fend off Milos “The Missile” Raonic. So far, de Minaur’s 2024 has Aussie tennis fans buzzing—he has 3-0 record, a win over Novak Djokovic, and he’s in the Top 10 for the first time.

A hysteria-inducing trip to the second week would seem to be in order. But it can’t happen if he can’t get past Raonic. The Canadian is 33 now, but he’s also an all-time great server and a five-time Australian Open quarterfinalist. de Minaur won their only previous meeting, back in 2018. Winner: De Minaur

Naomi takes over late night in Laver

• [16] Caroline Garcia vs. Naomi Osaka, second on Rod Laver Arena (night)

Naomi Osaka’s return to the court will be the headline act of the first round. She has won this tournament twice, but hasn’t played in a year; now she’ll return as a mom, and seemingly with a renewed sense of purpose. But she’ll also return against a talented opponent in the 16th-seeded Garcia, a Frenchwoman with the flair to beat anyone on the right day—and lose to anyone on the wrong one.

Osaka looked rusty but fit in her debut two weeks ago in Brisbane. She won her only previous match against Garcia, at this tournament in 2021. Winner: Osaka

Thiem and Auger-Aliassime close out MCA

• [22] Félix Auger-Aliassime vs. Dominic Thiem, second on Margaret Court Arena (night)

This night-ender in Margaret Court Arena almost feels like a bonus, and it has the makings of match that could go well into the morning. Thiem and Auger-Aliassime are both popular players who have had success Down Under—Thiem has made a final, FAA a semifinal—and who are trying to find their old forms after injuries and slumps sent their rankings plummeting.

The Austrian is 1-0 against the Canadian, but the Canadian is younger, and ranked much higher. Winner: Auger-Aliassime