In a day of unexpected twists at the Australian Open, last year's finalists Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen faced dramatically different fates in the second round of the tournament. While Sabalenka managed to scrape through a precarious match, Zheng became the first Top 10 seed to exit the competition, sending ripples of surprise through the Melbourne event.

World No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka battled her way past the 54th-ranked Jessica Bouzas Maneiro with a score of 6-3, 7-5 on the legendary Rod Laver Arena. In a tense second set, Sabalenka found herself trailing 5-2 but showed remarkable resilience, rallying to claim victory after 1 hour and 34 minutes of fierce tennis.

Conversely, a stunning upset was delivered by German veteran Laura Siegemund, who overcame No. 5 seed Zheng 7-6(3), 6-3 on John Cain Arena. This shocking defeat prevents a much-anticipated rematch between Sabalenka and Zheng in the quarterfinals, leaving fans grappling with the unexpected outcome.

Siegemund's triumph marks her 11th career victory against a Top 10 opponent, while the young Zheng, an Olympic gold medalist, entered the tournament with aspirations of clinching her first Grand Slam title at a career-high No. 5 ranking. The 97th-ranked Siegemund exhibited an impressive command on the court, channeling past experiences from her earlier successes, particularly at her favorite Stuttgart event where she was champion in 2017.

Playing like she was on home turf, Siegemund showcased her impressive array of shots, holding a competitive edge in returning serves and executing crucial passing shots. Though Zheng leveled the first set to a tiebreak, Siegemund's ability to read Zheng’s power shots propelled her to victory in a spirited contest lasting 2 hours and 16 minutes.

Post-match, Siegemund expressed her exhilaration, stating, “I’m very happy and proud of my performance. I expected a very tough game against this kind of top player.” She expertly maneuvered through pivotal moments and displayed an attacking style that matched Zheng in firepower, tallying 29 winners each.

With this monumental victory, Siegemund becomes the first German woman to defeat a Top 5 seed at the Australian Open since the legendary Angelique Kerber triumphed over Serena Williams in the 2016 final.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s match was a rollercoaster ride as she fought to extend her winning streak in Melbourne to an impressive 16 matches. Though initially controlling the match, she lost her grip in the second set, allowing Bouzas Maneiro to surge ahead. However, Sabalenka's tenacity proved crucial as she recovered to win the final five games, thereby securing her place in the third round for the fifth consecutive year. She is poised to become the first woman since Victoria Azarenka to achieve 16 straight victories at the Australian Open, a testament to her dominance.

Post-match, the determined Sabalenka said, "She played incredible tennis, especially in the second set. I'm really happy I was able to turn that set around. There are so many players playing really well in these conditions, and they can put you in uncomfortable positions—you just have to fight.”

As Sabalenka aims to defend her title, the stakes are high as both Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff loom, with the possibility of snatching the world No. 1 ranking from her.

Two other prominent names also advanced—No. 7 seed Jessica Pegula and 14th seed Mirra Andreeva—though their journeys were remarkably distinct. Pegula dominated former Australian Open semifinalist Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-2 in a confident display, while the 17-year-old Andreeva had to battle tooth and nail against 63rd-ranked Moyuka Uchijima, ultimately edging her out in a nail-biting 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(8) match, showcasing her incredible resilience and emerging talent.

As the tournament unfolds, fans are left on the edge of their seats, eagerly following the action-packed drama at the Australian Open!