HomeSportsZheng is in Melbourne's biggest shock yet

Zheng is in Melbourne’s biggest shock yet

Qinwen Zheng reached six finals in 2024, winning three, including claiming Olympic gold [Getty Images]

Australian Open 2025

Dates: January 12-26 Location: Melbourne Park

Coverage: Live radio commentary on Tennis Breakfast from 07:00 GMT on BBC 5 Sports Extra, plus live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Qinwen Zheng admitted it wasn’t her day as she was defeated in the second round of the Australian Open in the biggest upset of the tournament so far.

China’s Zheng, runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka last year and gold medalist at the Olympic Games, lost 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 to German veteran Laura Siegemund.

The fifth seed is the highest ranked player from either singles draw to have lost at Melbourne Park so far.

Zheng was annoyed by two time violations during the match, one of which cost her a first serve.

She complained to the referee that she could not see the shot clock, which tells players how long they have to serve before the allowed 25 seconds expire.

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“Maybe today is not my day,” said 22-year-old Zheng.

“There’s a lot of detail in the important points. I didn’t make the right choice.”

Two-time defending champion Sabalenka avoided the same fate but was made to work in her 6-3 7-5 win against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

World number one Sabalenka trailed 5-2 in the second set before staging a comeback.

“I want people to know that I’m not that crazy off the field. It’s just Aryna on the field,” the Belarusian joked with the crowd afterwards.

“I’m a nice person off the field. I’m not sure if my team will agree… but I’m nice, I promise.”

Fellow two-time winner Naomi Osaka also won, from a set down against Karolina Muchova, while title contender Coco Gauff is in action later on Wednesday.

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