Last year’s Australian Open runner-up, Qinwen Zheng, was eliminated in the second round after a stunning 7-6(3), 6-3 defeat by unseeded German Laura Siegemund.
Zheng, the Olympic champion and fifth seed, struggled to find her rhythm in the opening match on John Cain Arena. Siegemund, ranked world number 97, played with freedom and aggression, clinching the first set in a tiebreak. A critical early break in the second set gave Siegemund control, and despite Zheng briefly breaking back, the German quickly regained the lead and sealed the match.
Siegemund described the victory as a career highlight:
“I knew I just had to play more than my best tennis. I had nothing to lose, so I told myself to swing free. She’s an amazing player, but I wanted to make it a tough fight.”
Zheng, who had reached the final last year, cited fitness issues and a lack of preparation as contributing factors:
“There was no chance to play a tournament before the Australian Open because the time was so rushed. I’ve got some small issues after the WTA Finals, but I forced myself to come here and try to play a Slam.”
The loss marks a disappointing start to the season for Zheng, whose fitness concerns may continue to be a challenge as she seeks to build on her breakout 2023 campaign. Meanwhile, Siegemund’s triumph represents her first win over a top-10 player since 2022, showcasing her potential as a dangerous underdog in the tournament.
