Laura Siegemund, the unseeded German player, delivered one of the biggest shocks of the Australian Open on January 15, 2025, by defeating last year's runner-up Zheng Qinwen 7-6(3), 6-3 at John Cain Arena, effectively ending Zheng's campaign to emulate the success of compatriot Li Na.
The match was marked by tension and dramatic moments, as Zheng, the fifth seed, looked out of sorts from the get-go. Siegemund, who is world-ranked No. 97, came out swinging with aggression, taking advantage of Zheng’s inconsistencies.
Both players fought hard during the first set, which culminated in a tense tiebreak. After fending off multiple break points, Siegemund won the tiebreak 7-3, setting the tone for the match. With momentum on her side, she quickly took control of the second set by breaking Zheng's serve early.
Zheng managed to push back briefly, breaking Siegemund’s serve to level the score at 1-1, but her challenge faltered when she faced issues with her own service game. At this point, the match took a turn; the young Chinese star was handed a time violation from umpire Thomas Sweeney. This interruption led to double faults, which handed Siegemund the advantage she needed.
"For me, there was no chance to play a tournament before the Australian Open because the time was so rushed," Zheng later remarked, alluding to her fitness struggles following her performance at the WTA season-ending championship. "There are issues in my body which haven’t been solved yet." This challenge proved detrimental at such a high-stakes moment.
Despite these setbacks, Siegemund expertly maintained her composure and rhythm throughout the match. Her serve remained solid, achieving over 80 percent on first serves, compared to Zheng's 56 percent, and she effectively minimized her errors to just 13, compared to 31 from Zheng.
After securing the victory, Siegemund expressed her astonishment at the win: "I had nothing to lose so I told myself to swing free. She’s an amazing player, she’s one of the best players now. But I know I can play and I just wanted to make it a tough fight." An elated Siegemund even dropped to the ground, overwhelmed by her achievement.
Zheng, on the other hand, left the court with visible distress. "I was so surprised to get the second serve (time violation) because it has never happened to me before," she reflected, admitting to the chaotic moments during the match. "At the same time, I felt she was playing really good today. Yeah, it’s tennis. Nothing more."
This defeat marks a heartbreak for Zheng, who was vying for another strong performance after reaching the final last year and has garnered significant local support among Melbourne's large Chinese community. Her aspirations to replicate the historic success of Li Na, who won the Grand Slam title back in 2014, have been dashed.
Following this match, Siegemund will face either Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Anastasia Potapova, and her victory has positioned her as the second oldest woman still competing at the tournament. After producing this impressive performance, she now eyes advancing even farther.
Fans and analysts are now left to wonder about the impact of Zheng's loss on the overall tournament dynamics. With her elimination, fifth-seed Zheng will likely drop significantly down the rankings, potentially placing her at No. 7 or lower. Meanwhile, Siegemund’s ability to remain unfazed against one of the tournament favorites only enhances the unpredictability of this year’s Australian Open.
This match stands out as not only one of the tournament's highlights but also serves as a stark reminder of the fierce competition at such high-stakes events, where even the most promising athletes can encounter unexpected challenges. Siegemund’s unexpected victory over Zheng Qinwen has certainly ignited discussions among fans and experts, and everyone will be watching closely as the tournament progresses.