MELBOURNE: In a stunning turn of events at the Australian Open, last year's runner-up Zheng Qinwen faced an unexpected exit in the second round, losing 7-6(3), 6-3 to unseeded German player Laura Siegemund on Wednesday.

Zheng, the fifth seed and a medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, appeared to struggle throughout the match on John Cain Arena. Siegemund came out aggressively, showcasing her skill and determination, pushing Zheng to her limits. The opening set proved to be a nail-biter, ultimately heading to a tiebreak where Siegemund sealed the deal with a strong performance.

The second set saw Siegemund take control after an early break, leaving Zheng in a precarious position. Despite a valiant effort, Zheng found herself down 3-1, making it difficult to mount a comeback against the resilient Siegemund.

This shocking defeat marks a significant blow for Zheng, who was aiming to replicate the historic success of compatriot Li Na, who claimed the Australian Open title in 2014. The loss draws attention to the unpredictability of the tournament, where underdogs like Siegemund can triumph against higher-ranked opponents.

As the tournament progresses, eyes will be on Siegemund to see if she can continue her remarkable run, while fans of Zheng will undoubtedly be left to wonder what went wrong for the promising star. Will this serve as a wake-up call for Zheng as she prepares for future competitions? Only time will tell!