Australian Open: Zheng offers no excuses as Andreeva fights back

Qinwen Zheng offered no excuses after she slumped to an early exit from the Australian Open, while Mirra Andreeva came from behind to win.

Last year's runner-up was defeated 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 by Germany's Laura Siegemund, who is the oldest player remaining in the women's draw, at 36.

World number five Zheng, who won gold at the Paris Olympics last year and reached the final of the season-ending WTA Finals, conceded she fell short of her best levels.

She told reporters: "I felt maybe today is not my day. There were a lot of details in the important points, where I didn't make the right choice.

"I had lots of chances to break her in the first set, but in that moment maybe my concentration was not there. I made easy mistakes in those moments.

"I didn't perform well enough. At the same time, I felt she played really well."

Siegemund, on the other hand, felt she brought her best tennis as she claimed her first win over a top-10 player since 2022 to claim a spot in round three, equalling her best ever performance at the Australian Open.

She said: "I knew I had to play more than my best tennis. I had nothing to lose. I just told myself to swing free.

"She's an amazing Player. One of the best players right now. I know I can play well. I just wanted to show that to myself and make it a tough fight."

At the other end of the age spectrum to Siegemund is 17-year-old Andreeva, who continued her fine form with a remarkable comeback against Moyuka Uchijima.

Mirra, how do you do it?! She moves past Moyuka Uchijima 6-4 3-6 7-6(8) #AO2025@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/ldR9uUbuCw

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2025

Andreeva prevailed 4-6 6-3 7-6 (10-8) in a two-hour 19-minute thriller.

The Russian, who reached the French Open semi-finals last year, has now won 17 grand slam singles ties, and is just one win shy of matching Coco Gauff's tally of major match victories before turning 18.

Andreeva will face Poland's Magdalena Frech in round three.