Twice champion Naomi Osaka avenged last year's loss to Caroline Garcia at the Australian Open on Monday but admitted it was difficult to focus on the match considering her home is in danger of being burnt down by the wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles.
Osaka, champion in 2019 and 2021, went out in the opening round to Garcia on her return last year following a maternity break, but came out on top 6-3 3-6 6-3 against the Frenchwoman this time around.
Born in Japan, the 27-year-old has lived in the US since childhood and has made LA her home.
"I was watching the fire map and the fire is three blocks from my house," said Osaka, who has an 18-month-old daughter.
"So I had someone go and get my daughter's birth certificate because I didn't know what would happen if that burned down. Sending all my love to LA.
"It is really difficult for me because I think it's tougher because I find now my home is more of a home because I have memories with my daughter.
"There's so many things, keepsakes and stuff like that. Obviously you can't hoard them all when you're asking them to go to your house and just grab stuff."
Osaka admitted that she did find it difficult to fully concentrate on the match, but said that it could also be a motivating factor going forward.
"Honestly I don't think I've been doing the greatest keeping focus, but obviously I won so I think it's an acceptable job," Osaka said.
"I'm not there, so I don't know how bad it is or how bad it's going to get. But I think the biggest thing that I am grateful for is that everyone in my family is safe.
"I don't feel like it's safe enough to go back there. It's kind of a little bit in a limbo, but also motivating me to hopefully stay here as long as I can."
Like in the men's game with Jannik Sinner, world number two Iga Swiatek was at the centre of allegations that tennis doping authorities were running a two-tier system favouring the top players after she served a one-month doping ban last year.
The 23-year-old five-times Grand Slam champion refused to let the controversy distract her as she defeated Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-3 6-4.
Local fans had plenty to cheer with Ajla Tomljanovic, Destanee Aiava and Talia Gibson progressing in the women's draw.
Earlier, Coco Gauff was hoping that coming through a tough first round clash with former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin will hold her in good stead for the rest of the tournament.
The third seed was given a solid workout by 2020 champion Kenin in blazing sunshine on Rod Laver Arena but extended her lengthy winning streak to reach the second round with a 6-3 6-3 victory.
"Honestly, when I saw the draw, I was like, it's not a great first round. She's one of those people that she can play great tennis," Gauff said.
"But, I just think of the positives of, if you get through that, then you kind of have a set the tone for having a high level throughout the tournament."
Gauff, who led the United States to a United Cup triumph in Sydney to kick off her season, was troubled as much by the bright light and her own errors as Kenin's game in a tricky first set, which she won with an ace after 44 minutes.
Kenin, who beat Gauff on her way to the title five years ago, again blew hot and cold to keep things interesting in the second set but dropped her head after failing to break back for 4-4.
Gauff pounced to break her fellow American for a fourth time in the match and secured her 10th straight singles victory when Kenin sent a wild forehand well wide of the tramlines.
"It was a tough match for me today but I'm happy with how I played. I could have served better but I could hardly see at (one) end," said Gauff, who mixed 12 aces with nine double faults over the match.
"I couldn't see on that side, and she couldn't either. I served better," she added in her press conference.
She will next face Jodie Burrage who produced one of her best grand slam performances to beat French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean 6-2 6-4.
