Qinwen Zheng bundled out of Australian Open by inspired Laura Siegemund

Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen was initially expected to win this match easily. The 22-year-old had a strong 2024, reaching the Australian Open final and winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. However, she suffered a surprise exit in the second round of the Australian Open, losing in straight sets 6-7(3), 3-6 to German player Laura Siegemund.

During the match, the No. 5 seed was visibly affected when the umpire penalized her for taking too long between her first and second serves. Zheng Qinwen complained that she couldn't see the countdown timer, and she was clearly flustered. She wiped away tears before hitting a poor serve that didn't even clear the net, and this occurred at a critical point in the match.

Despite losing the first set, Zheng Qinwen seemed to be turning things around on John Cain Arena as the sun broke through the clouds. She had broken Siegemund's serve in the game prior to the time violation. That game lasted over eight minutes, with several calls going in Zheng Qinwen's favor, and a bit of luck when a ball clipped the net. However, the momentum quickly shifted.

After the match, Zheng Qinwen stated that the time violation did disrupt her game, but it was not the reason for her loss. So how did the fifth-ranked rising star lose to the 36-year-old veteran Siegemund, ranked 97th? The answer may lie at the net. Siegemund is a skilled doubles player, having won three Grand Slam titles, including the 2020 US Open women's doubles, the 2016 US Open mixed doubles, and the 2024 French Open mixed doubles. "Singles is not my priority anymore," she said in the post-match press conference. "I expected it to be very difficult against such a top player. I think she is one of the best in the world. I wanted to stand up bravely, show the variety of my game, be very active, and I did that."

Siegemund certainly showed variety in her game. She clearly utilized the quick reflexes and volleying skills honed in doubles to defeat her opponent. She used clever slices to draw Zheng Qinwen to the net, tiring her out, and then found openings. Post-match data showed that other than performance at the net, Zheng Qinwen and Siegemund had similar stats. Zheng Qinwen also recognized this, often finding herself unable to react to Siegemund's shots. "I think when I was attacking, I didn't make the right choices, I didn't notice her movement," said Zheng Qinwen. "But yeah, I would say for the future I want to improve my net game."

Zheng Qinwen also showed variety in her game, hitting some beautiful drop shots. Many of the spectators who came to John Cain Arena to support the Chinese tennis star were treated to an exciting match. Siegemund's victory may demonstrate the value of doubles play, which is often overlooked. She was well-prepared for the match and displayed an amazing level of intensity. "What I'm especially happy about is how I kept this up throughout the match because a player like her is always dangerous," said Siegemund. The German player couldn't hide her joy on the court, collapsing to the ground in disbelief.

Prior to her match against Siegemund, Zheng Qinwen's progress was evident. She is widely regarded as an exciting rising star in the sport. In 2023, she was named the WTA's Most Improved Player, and the year before, she was named WTA Newcomer of the Year. She also reached the 2024 year-end WTA Finals, losing to Coco Gauff. Many Chinese fans hope she can replicate the success of compatriot Li Na, who won the 2014 Australian Open. Although Zheng Qinwen's fans were disappointed with her second-round exit, many still hope she can make even greater contributions to Chinese tennis in the future. "She is the biggest star right now," said Kevin, a fan who traveled from the US to watch the Australian Open. Another fan, Min, is from Zheng Qinwen's hometown in Hubei. "She's more stable now... she's very aggressive now," Min said of Zheng Qinwen's game. "She's charming and a positive person... we just love her!"