Qinwen Zheng’s loss to Laura Siegemund in the second round of the Australian Open fell short of her expectations, coming just months after a breakout season that included an Olympic gold medal and a runner-up finish at the WTA Finals. The 22-year-old lost to the 36-year-old Siegemund 7-6 (3), 6-3, in a match marked by distractions and setbacks for Zheng.
Siegemund’s aggressive approach from the start of the match put pressure on Zheng, who struggled to counteract her opponent’s powerful play. The German player, 36 years old, became the third oldest player to beat a WTA top-five player at the Australian Open in the past 30 years, surpassing Serena Williams’ record.
Zheng had been dealing with issues prior to the tournament, including a change of shoes early in the second set and a time warning for her serve. The distraction from the umpire’s warning was significant, according to Zheng, who said it made her question her choices throughout the match. Despite her experience on the tour, which now spans four years, this loss marked a rare mistake.
The match was also notable for Sabalenka’s strong performance against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, with whom she played at the same time as Zheng. Sabalenka extended her winning streak to 16 games in Melbourne Park and will face No. 54-ranked Bouzas Maneiro again in their next encounter.
Other players who advanced to the third round include Belinda Bencic, Leylah Fernandez, Jessica Pegula, and Mirra Andreeva. Siegemund’s victory has given her a boost of confidence, as she looks to make a deeper run in the tournament.
Source: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/43418190/australian-open-women-singles-results-roundup-wednesday-january-15