Osaka falls to 3-time winner Pliskova in Brisbane

BRISBANE, Australia — A loss didn’t bother Naomi Osaka at the Brisbane International as much as the missed opportunity for more matches ahead of the Australian Open.

The four-time major winner’s first tournament since becoming a mother ended in a 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 second-round loss Wednesday to three-time Brisbane International champion Karolina Pliskova.

Osaka won her first match at the elite level since late 2022 on Monday in straight sets against Tamara Korpatsch.

After that win, she said the birth in July of her daughter, Shai, and the changes to her mindset since becoming a mother had given her a better perspective on tennis.

A second-round encounter featuring two former No. 1-ranked players was a step up in tempo and a better indication of how

Osaka’s preparations are going for the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam event, starting Jan. 14 in Melbourne.

“The week is definitely shorter than I wanted it to be,” Osaka said. “I feel like I’m pretty good where I am right now. Even the last time I played her, I think I played better today.”

Georgia’s Bowers to enter NFL draft

ATHENS, Ga. – Junior tight end Brock Bowers, who led No. 6 Georgia in receiving despite missing four games, confirmed his plans to enter the NFL draft on Tuesday night.

Bowers announced his decision on Instagram.

Bowers led Georgia with 56 catches for 714 yards and six touchdowns. He initially missed only two games after having surgery for a high ankle sprain but ultimately missed two more games, including the Bulldogs’ 63-3 rout of No. 4 Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

Georgia junior wide receiver Ladd McConkey also announced his plans to enter the NFL draft.

Bowers is widely projected as a firstround pick in the NFL draft, thanks to his combination of speed and good size (6-4, 240). His announcement came one day after running backs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton, the team’s leading rushers, said they will enter the draft.