Zheng Qinwen, last year’s beaten Australian Open finalist, became the highest seed to fall so far in this year’s tournament after she was stunned by world No. 97 Laura Siegemund in the second round.

Zheng Qinwen is out of the Australian Open after a shock defeat to Germany’s Laura Siegemund. Zheng, the No. 5 seed and last year’s beaten finalist, lost 7-6(3), 6-3 after her serve unraveled in the fourth game of the second set.

Qinwen Zheng, the No. 5 seed and 2024 Australian Open runner-up, was handed a shocking second-round defeat by world No. 97 Laura Siegemund on Wednesday.

Rising star Qinwen Zheng lost in the second round to 36-year-old Laura Siegemund, ranked 97. How did the German unseat last year's finalist?

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka survived a first Australian Open test, but last year’s beaten finalist Zheng Qinwen suffered a shock second-round exit. The Chinese star reached her first grand slam showpiece here last year before going on to win Olympic gold and establish herself as one of the best players in the world.

Zheng Qinwen crashed out of the Australian Open on Wednesday, losing in straight sets to German Laura Siegemund in the biggest shock so far at the year’s first grand slam. Olympic champion Zheng looked out of sorts in the day’s opening match on John Cain Arena,

In the Australian Open Round of 64 on Tuesday, we have a matchup of No. 5-ranked Qinwen Zheng versus No. 97 Laura Siegemund.In her most recent time out, Siegemund was defeated by Yuliia

The Chinese lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the title decider at Melbourne Park 12 months ago. Read more at straitstimes.com.