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.

Aryna Sabalenka is not entirely shocked about the sudden demise of Zheng Qinwen who failed to make it to the third round after losing to the tricky German, Laura Siegemund.

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.

Zheng Qinwen is out of the Australian Open after a shock defeat to Germany’s Laura Siegemund. Zheng, the No. 5 seed and last year’s beaten finalist, lost 7-6(3), 6-3 after her serve unraveled in the fourth game of the second set.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Distracted by a time penalty and unable to counteract No. 97-ranked Laura Siegemund's aggressive approach, Zheng Qinwen's loss in the second round Wednesday fell a long way short of last year's run to the Australian Open final.

Aryna Sabalenka overcame a tough challenge to advance at the Australian Open, defeating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Meanwhile, Laura Siegemund shocked Zheng Qinwen, the Paris Olympic gold medalist, ending her title pursuit.