PA Media/dpa
Melbourne
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka survived a first Australian Open test, but last year’s beaten finalist Zheng Qinwen suffered a shock second-round exit.
The Chinese star reached her first grand slam showpiece here last year before going on to win Olympic gold and establish herself as one of the best players in the world.
But she came unstuck against German Laura Siegemund, a 36-year-old better known for her prowess in doubles, going down 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.
“I think not much to say because I tried what I can do during this match,” said Zheng. “I feel maybe today is not my day. There’s a lot of details in the important points. I didn’t do the right choice.” Sabalenka was also in trouble down 5-2 in the second set to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, but the top seed extended her winning run at Melbourne Park to 16 matches with a 6-3, 7-5 victory.
“I’m super happy to have finished this match in straight sets,” said Sabalenka. “She played incredible tennis, especially in the second set. I’m really happy I was able to turn around that set.” The Belarusian next faces talented young Dane Clara Tauson, who was a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Tatjana Maria.
Naomi Osaka 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 has started the season strongly and she followed up her first-round win over Caroline Garcia by coming from a set down to see off 20th seed Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3.
