Osaka returns, falls in first round Down Under

Naomi Osaka’s comeback to Grand Slam tennis after a 15-month break ended in a 6-4, 7-6 (2) loss to 16th-seeded Caroline Garcia in the first round at the Australian Open. The four-time major winner gave birth to a daughter last July. She’s one of three past Australian Open champions who returned to play at Melbourne Park for the first time as moms. Osaka was only three matches into her return to the tour. U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff is through to the second round. The 19-yearold U.S. Open champion needed exactly 60 minutes for the victory.

College football USC’S WILLIAMS IN DRAFT

>> Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams has formally entered the NFL draft. The Heisman Trophy winner is leaving USC after two prolific seasons. Williams is widely considered the favorite to be the No. 1 selection in the draft, which begins April 25. The Chicago Bears currently hold the top pick.

College basketball WADE DONATES $3M

>> Dwyane Wade is donating $3 million to Marquette just over two decades after leading the Golden Eagles to their last Final Four appearance. Marquette announced the gift as the Hall of Fame guard attended the 17th-ranked Golden Eagles’ game with Villanova.

UCONN MEN NEW NO. 1 >>

Connecticut jumped to No. 1 in this week’s AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. It marks the Huskies’ first appearance at No. 1 since the 2008-09 season. The reigning national champions replaced Purdue after the Boilermakers lost to Nebraska to fall to second.

IOWA WOMEN UP TO NO. 2 >> Iowa moved up to No. 2 and Colorado to No. 3 behind top-ranked South Carolina in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll after a chaotic week that saw half of the top 10 teams lose.

NFL COMMANDERS HIRE GM >>

The Washington Commanders announced they’ve hired Adam Peters as their new general manager. A person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on Jan. 12 that the team had a deal in place with the 49ers assistant GM to put him in charge of football operations. Controlling owner Josh Harris made the announcement Jan. 15.

CHARGERS INTERVIEW HARBAUGH >>

Jim Harbaugh has interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers for their head coaching vacancy, a week after he led the University of Michigan to a national title. The Chargers announced Harbaugh’s interview on Monday without saying exactly when it took place.

RAIDERS CANDIDATE

>> The Las Vegas Raiders have scheduled an interview with former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. He’s the first outside candidate for the team’s coaching job.

NBA IRVING LEADS MAVS

>> Kyrie Irving scored 42 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 41 and the Mavericks split a two-game home set with New Orleans by beating the Pelicans, 125-120.

NHL BLUE JACKETS WIN IN SHOOTOUT >>

Kirill Marchenko scored in a shootout to lift the Blue Jackets to a 4-3 win over the visiting Canucks. After Marchenko slid the puck between Casey DeSmith’s pads in the fourth round of the shootout, Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins blocked Pius Suter’s shot to secure the win.