By Shrivathsa Sridhar MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Last year's runner-up Zheng Qinwen was sent crashing out of the Australian Open second round on Wednesday as her bid to emulate Chinese compatriot Li Na's 2014 triumph evaporated after a shock 7-6(3) 6-3 defeat by unseeded German Laura Siegemund.

Rising star Qinwen Zheng lost in the second round to 36-year-old Laura Siegemund, ranked 97. How did the German unseat last year's finalist?

Zheng Qinwen hits a return during the women's singles 2nd round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Laura Siegemund of Germany at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

In the Australian Open Round of 64 on Tuesday, we have a matchup of No. 5-ranked Qinwen Zheng versus No. 97 Laura Siegemund.In her most recent time out, Siegemund was defeated by Yuliia

The 38-year-old Monfils used his experience and guile to top 21-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in five sets.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka held on for a tough second-round win at the Australian Open on Wednesday, but last year's finalist Zheng Qinwen became the first Top 10 seed to fall this week.

Last year's runner-up Zheng Qinwen was sent crashing out of the Australian Open second round after a shock 7-6(3) 6-3 defeat by unseeded German Laura Siegemund on Wednesday. Olympic champion Zheng looked out of sorts in the day's opening match on John Cain Arena,

Zheng Qinwen is out of the Australian Open after a shock defeat to Germany’s Laura Siegemund. Zheng, the No. 5 seed and last year’s beaten finalist, lost 7-6(3), 6-3 after her serve unraveled in the fourth game of the second set.

Zheng Qinwen crashed out of the Australian Open on Wednesday, losing in straight sets to German Laura Siegemund in the biggest shock so far at the year’s first grand slam. Olympic champion Zheng looked out of sorts in the day’s opening match on John Cain Arena,