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)

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka survived a first Australian Open test, but last year’s beaten finalist Qinwen Zheng suffered a shock second-round exit. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

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

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.

Zheng Qinwen, last year’s beaten Australian Open finalist, became the highest seed to fall so far in this year’s tournament after she was stunned by world No. 97 Laura Siegemund in the second round.

Qinwen Zheng, the No. 5 seed and 2024 Australian Open runner-up, was handed a shocking second-round defeat by world No. 97 Laura Siegemund on Wednesday.

In a thrilling upset at Melbourne Park, Laura Siegemund eliminated Olympic Gold Medalist Qinwen Zheng in a stunning victory of 7-6(3) 6-3. This marks Siegemund’s biggest Grand Slam triumph to date, as she defeated the No.