Aryna Sabalenka: Defending champion survives first test while last year’s defeated finalist Qinwen Zheng is shocked | Tennis news
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka survived her first test at the Australian Open, but last year’s beaten finalist Qinwen Zheng suffered a shock second-round exit.
Chinese star Zheng achieved her first Grand Slam success last year before winning Olympic gold and establishing herself as one of the best players in the world.
But she fell short against Germany’s Laura Siegemund, a 36-year-old better known for her doubles prowess, going down 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.
“I don’t think I have much to say because I tried what I can do during this match,” Zheng said. “I feel that maybe today is not my day. There are a lot of details in important points. I didn’t make the right choice.”
“I knew I just had to play more than my best tennis,” said Siegemund, who claimed her first top 10 win since 2022.
“I didn’t have anything to lose so I told myself to cut loose. She’s an amazing player, she’s one of the best players right now. But I know I can play and I just wanted it to be a tough fight.”
Sabalenka was also in trouble, losing 5-2 in the second set to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, but the top seed extended her winning streak at Melbourne Park to 16 matches with a 6-3 7-5 win.
“I am extremely happy that I finished this match in two sets,” said Sabalenka. “She played incredible tennis, especially in the second set. I’m really happy that I was able to turn that set around.”
The story of the tape
Belarus next face the talented young Dane Clara Tausonwho won 6-2 6-2 over Tatjana Maria.
Naomi Osaka she has not gone beyond the third round of a Grand Slam since winning her second title in Melbourne in 2021.
But the former world number one made a strong start to the season and followed up her first-round win over Caroline Garcia by seeing off 20th seed Karolina Muchova 1-6 6-1 6-3.
Her draw is no easier with the former top 10 star and fellow mother Belinda Benčić following.
The Swiss is returning to Grand Slam tennis after the birth of her daughter Bella last April.
Bencic enjoys the change of routine and says, “We just do more fun things and try to go for a walk or try to go to the aquarium. I don’t think I would have gone to the aquarium before.
“So just in terms of family time, it’s definitely changed. Different things to do now in terms of preparation, but it’s better because I feel like it’s taking me away from tennis a little bit.”
A seventeen year old Mirra Andreeva came through an extremely close encounter against Moyuka Uchijima, the 14th seed ended up winning 6-4 3-6 7-6 (10-8), while the seventh seed Jessica Pegula saw off Elise Mertens 6-4 6-2.
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