Australian Open: 2024 Finalists face contrasting fates as Sabalenka thrives but Qinwen sinks

Aryna Sabalenka is overcoming significant challenges while seamlessly maintaining her status as the defending champion at the Australian Open. The top-ranked WTA ace faced Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in her second-round clash at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday. Despite an error-filled performance, the World No. 1 managed to secure a straight-sets victory over the much lower-ranked Spaniard. While Sabalenka’s errors didn’t affect the outcome of her match, the 2024 Australian Open runner-up didn’t share the same fortune. Qinwen Zheng, Sabalenka’s opponent in last year’s final, was eliminated in the second round on Wednesday. Zheng faced the lower ranked German, Laura Siegemund who stunned the Chinese ace with a 7-6, 6-3 win at John Cain Arena.

Aryna Sabalenka continues her title defense with a second-round victory at 2025 Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her title defense in Melbourne against the 2020 US Open champion, Sloane Stephens. However, the American couldn't withstand the dominance of the top player on the tour right now, as Aryna Sabalenka cruised to victory in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. The second match, however, was far more eventful for the defending champion. Sabalenka faced Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, who reached this stage after defeating the 23-year-old British player Sonay Kartal 6-1, 7-6. Maneiro followed up her commanding first-round victory with a spirited performance against Sabalenka, pushing the World No. 1 to 5-2 in the second set.

Bouzas Maneiro surged to a commanding lead in the second set as she set her sights on an upset for the Grand Slam champion. However, Sabalenka turned the tide, staging a remarkable comeback by winning five consecutive games to claim the second set and secure her spot in the third round for the fifth year in a row. Despite dropping serve three times and facing 11 break points, Sabalenka defeated Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena, extending her winning streak on Melbourne’s centre court. The Belarusian became the first woman to achieve 16 consecutive victories at the Australian Open since Victoria Azarenka in 2014.

"She played incredible tennis, especially in the second set," Sabalenka said following her victory. "I'm really happy I was able to turn around that set. There's so many players who are playing really well in these conditions. Today's match proved that. Girls can go there and just play without any fear, without anything to lose. They can put you in really uncomfortable position. You have to go out there and fight and compete and show your best," she added.

The second-round victory over the Spaniard marks her 16th consecutive win at the venue following back-to-back titles and a first-round victory over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens. In total, Sabalenka boasts a 16-2 record on Rod Laver Arena, with her only defeats coming against Serena Williams in 2021 and Ashleigh Barty in 2018. Up next, she faces Denmark’s 42nd-ranked Clara Tauson, who defeated 29th seed Linda Noskova in the opening round and German veteran Tajana Marie to set up her third round clash against Sabalenka.

Laura Siegemund upsets 2024 Australian Open runner-up Zheng Qinwen

The day was not as bright for 2024 Australian Open runner-up, Zheng Qinwen. The Chinese who noted a remarkable season on the tour last year fell apart in the second round. Qinwen started the Australian Open campaign this year with a 7-6, 6-1 victory against Romania's Anca Todoni. However, Germany's 97th ranked, Laura Siegemund, staged a straight sets upset against the World No.5, Zheng. The tactical brilliance of Siegemund proved too much to handle for the reigning Olympics champion. After 2 hours and 16 minutes of intense play, the German secured her 11th career victory against a Top 10 opponent. Siegemund showcased her precision and executed flawless passing shots as she served for the first set at 5-4.

Although Zheng managed to fight back and force a tiebreak, Siegemund’s composure was unshakable. The German expertly anticipated Zheng’s power plays and won the final five points of the tiebreak, delivering a major upset. In the second set, Siegemund maintained her momentum, dismantling the Chinese No.1’s game to advance to the Australian Open third round for the second time in her career. Playing some of her most assertive tennis, Siegemund matched Zheng’s 29 winners.

"Obviously I'm very happy and very proud of my performance," Siegemund said after the remarkable victory. "I expected a very, very tough game against this kind of top player. I think she's one of the best in the world. It's never going to be easy, and there will be continuously through the match, like, tough situations to solve. But I wanted to come out, you know, courageous. I wanted to show the variety of my game, be very aggressive, and that's what I did."