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Qinwen Zheng, the 22-year-old Chinese tennis star, faced a shocking defeat in the second round of the Australian Open, losing to Germany’s Laura Siegemund in straight sets. Zheng, who was the fifth seed and last year’s runner-up, was visibly disappointed and admitted that her concentration was not there during the match.
The match took place on John Cain Arena, where Siegemund, ranked 97th in the world, played aggressively from the start. Zheng struggled with a time violation and was visibly rattled, which affected her performance. Despite having chances to break Siegemund’s serve, Zheng couldn’t capitalize on them and ultimately lost 7-6 (3), 6-3.
Zheng’s defeat came as a surprise to many, considering her stellar performance last year, which included reaching the Australian Open final and winning Olympic gold in Paris. However, she acknowledged that it wasn’t her day and that she needs to improve her net game and maintain her concentration in future matches.
The loss is a setback for Zheng, but it also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis. As she reflects on this defeat, she will undoubtedly be looking to come back stronger in future tournaments.
Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng faced a shocking upset at the Australian Open, losing in the second round to world No. 97 Laura Siegemund. Zheng, who had a remarkable 2024 season, winning Olympic gold and reaching the Australian Open final, was unable to replicate her success this year. The match ended in a 7-6 (3), 6-3 victory for Siegemund, who played aggressively from the start and disrupted Zheng’s game.
Zheng admitted that her concentration was not there during the match. She was visibly rattled by a time violation and struggled to regain her composure. Despite her best efforts, Zheng couldn’t match Siegemund’s intensity and variety of shots. The loss was a significant disappointment for Zheng, who had high hopes for the tournament after her stellar performance last year.
Reflecting on the match, Zheng acknowledged that she needs to improve her net game and make better tactical decisions. She expressed her determination to learn from this experience and come back stronger in future tournaments. Zheng’s early exit from the Australian Open serves as a reminder of the challenges and pressures that top players face in maintaining their form and focus throughout the season.
Qinwen Zheng in 2025
Currently the world no.5 (career-high), the Chinese played her last match on the 15th of January when she surrendered to world no.97 Laura Siegemund 7-6(3) 6-3 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
Until now, during this year the Chinese has a 1-1 record.