Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka survived the first test at the Australian Open, but last year’s beaten finalist Qinwen Zheng suffered a second-round shock.
Chinese star Zheng made his first Grand Slam appearance here last year before winning Olympic gold and establishing himself as one of the world’s best players.
But she did not stop Germany’s Laura Siegemund, the 36-year-old best known for her doubles prowess, going down 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.
“I think there is not much to say because I tried what I can do in this match,” Zheng said. “I feel that maybe today is not my day. There are many details in important points. I didn’t make the right choice.”
“I knew I just had to play more than my best tennis,” said Siegmund, who earned his first top-10 win since 2022.
“I had nothing to lose, so I told myself to get out. He’s a great player, he’s one of the best players now. But I just wanted to give it a hard fight.”
Sabalenka was also in trouble at 5-2 down against Spain’s Jessica Buzas Maneiro, but the top seed extended her winning streak to 16 matches at Melbourne Park with a 6-3 7-5 win.
“I am very happy that I finished this match in straight sets,” Sabalenka said. “She played incredible tennis, especially in the second set. I’m really glad I was able to turn that set around.”
The tape tale
Belarus follows the talented young Dane Clara Towsonwho won 6-2 6-2 over Tatiana Maria.
Naomi Osaka Has not advanced past the third round of a Grand Slam since winning his second title in Melbourne in 2021.
But the former world No 1 has started the season strongly and she followed up her first-round win over Caroline Garcia by storming past 20th seed Karolina Muchova 1-6 6-1 6-3.
His draw doesn’t get any easier with a former top-10 star and girlfriend Belinda Bencic the next one.
The Swiss is returning to Grand Slam tennis after giving birth to daughter Bella last April.
Bencic enjoys the change in routine, saying: “We just do more fun things and try to go out for a walk or 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 think it takes my mind off tennis a little bit.”
Seventeen years old Mira Andreeva Moyuka Uchijima had an extremely tight clash with the 14th seed finishing 6-4 3-6 7-6 (10-8), while the seventh Jessica Pegula Defeated Elise Mertens 6-4 6-2.
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