Qinwen stunned by Siegemund, Sabalenka and Alcaraz in the 3rd round

Finalist in Melbourne in 2024, Zheng Qinwen (WTA 5) lost in the 2nd round of the 2025 Australian Open.

The Paris 2024 Olympic champion was surprised by the German Laura Siegemund (WTA 97) on Wednesday. Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz will, however, play the round of 16.

A year after a final in Melbourne which revealed her, Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday became the first favorite to leave Melbourne prematurely. The 22-year-old Chinese woman was beaten 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 by doubles specialist Laura Siegemund, dean of the women’s singles table.

‘I had nothing to lose (…) I tried to be extremely aggressive, not to try improbable shots and instead to stick to my game plan,’ explained Laura Siegemund. Zheng Qinwen, for his part, regretted not having made the ‘right decisions’ on ‘important points’.

Faller of the Chinese in the final of the Australian Open in 2024, Aryna Sabalenka (WTA 1) for her part booked her ticket for the 3rd round by dominating the Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (WTA 54) 6-3 7- 5. The match was not easy for the Belarusian, who found herself trailing 5-2 in the second set.

Winner in three sets for his entry into the competition, world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz repeated this performance in the 2nd round by sweeping away the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka (WTA 65) 6-0 6-1 6-4. In search of a first title in Melbourne, the 21-year-old Spaniard will face Portuguese Nuno Borges (ATP 33) in the round of 16.

/ATS