Last year's runner-up, Qinwen Zheng, faced a highly disappointing early exit from the 2025 Australian Open, falling to unseeded German Laura Siegemund in the second round. The match took place on Wednesday at the John Cain Arena, where Zheng, the fifth seed, struggled to find her rhythm against Siegemund, who proved to be a formidable opponent.
The match began with Siegemund coming out strong, able to clinch the first set 7-6 (3) after dominating the tie-break. Despite Zheng’s efforts to reclaim the lead, which included early breaks, she soon found herself trailing again, as Siegemund took the lead early in the second set.
After what seemed like a promising start for Zheng, the tide turned. Following a break of serve, Siegemund raced to establish a 3-1 lead, and Zheng’s attempts to recover faltered. The German player maintained her composure, serving well and sealing the victory with the final score of 7-6 (3), 6-3.
Fans had high hopes for Zheng, especially as she sought to emulate the success of fellow Chinese tennis star Li Na, who won the Australian Open title back in 2014. Unfortunately, these aspirations were dashed as Zheng struggled to match Siegemund’s intensity and skill throughout the match.
After the match, Zheng expressed her disappointment, acknowledging the high expectations placed upon her after last year's success. "It's never easy to come back after being runner-up, especially at such a significant tournament like the Australian Open," she noted, reflecting on the pressure she felt entering this year’s competition.
Zheng’s exit marks yet another upset at this year’s tournament, where several Australian players also faced tough defeats, raising concerns about home ground advantage as the season progresses. Many local fans were hoping for their favorites to advance, but the pattern of early exits has become increasingly troubling.
The state of play on Wednesday was affected by weather interruptions, with brief showers hitting Melbourne Park. The only match being played was between world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and Jaime Faria on Rod Laver Arena, where Djokovic faced challenges amid the changing conditions. The match dynamics continued to shift amid the disruptions, echoing some of the uncertainty seen on all courts.
This year’s Australian Open has been eventful, with notable performances from other players who have managed to advance easily, contrasting sharply with Zheng’s abrupt departure. For example, Naomi Osaka, another top competitor, came back from losing the first set to win her match, demonstrating the resilience expected of high-level players.
Zheng's defeat followed closely after her earlier promising run, which drew fans and experts hoping for her to replicate the past success. Her inability to progress this year serves as a reminder of the intense competition at the Grand Slam level and the variations of form athletes can face during key matches.
Despite her departure, the tournament marches on, with plenty of excitement and unpredictability still to be played out. Players and fans alike will now turn their attention to the forthcoming rounds, eager to see who will seize the spotlight following Zheng's unexpected exit. The atmosphere at the Australian Open remains charged with both performances and palpable disappointment from fans who were eager to support their star player on her path to potential glory.
With Zheng's early exit, questions arise about her next steps and how she intends to regroup. The world of professional tennis is fickle, and with resilience being key, Zheng will need to reflect on this year's experience as she prepares for future challenges.