Qinwen Zheng bundled out of Australian Open by inspired Laura Siegemund

It was a match Chinese tennis star Qinwen Zheng was expected to breeze through.

The 22-year-old had her best year ever on tour in 2024, reaching the Australian Open final and winning Olympic gold in Paris.

But she was bundled out of the Australian Open in the second round, losing in straight sets to Germany's Laura Siegemund 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.

The emotion overwhelmed the 5th seed when she was given a time violation by the umpire for taking too long between her first and second serve.

Zheng gestured and complained she couldn't see the shot clock as it counted down the seconds.

She was clearly rattled.

She wiped away tears before delivering a woeful serve well short of the net.

And it came at a crucial point in the match.

Zheng was down a set, but as the sun started to poke through the clouds on John Cain Arena, it looked like she was starting to turn the ship around.

Qinwen Zheng of China protests to the umpire after being handed a time violation. (Getty: Daniel Pockett)

In the game before the time violation, she managed to break Siegemund's serve.

It was a game lasting more than eight minutes, with a couple of close calls going Zheng's way, along with a bit of luck as the ball clipped the net.

But it quickly unravelled.

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Afterwards, Zheng said the time violation disturbed her during the match, but it wasn't what lost her the match.

So how did the 5th-ranked rising star lose to the 36-year-old Siegemund, ranked 97?

The answer may lie at the net.

Tricky net play

Siegemund is a skilled doubles player, with three grand slam titles to her name.

Doubles specialist Laura Siegemund toppled Qinwen Zheng. (Getty: Robert Prange)

She won the 2020 US Open with doubles partner Vera Zvonareva, as well as the 2016 US Open and 2024 French Open mixed doubles titles.

"Singles is not really my priority anymore," she said in her post-match press conference.

"I expected a very, very tough game against this kind of top player. I think she's one of the best in the world.

"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."

And the variety was on full display.

It was clear she was using the quick reaction and volleying skills honed in the doubles game to best her opponent.

With subtle slice she brought Zheng to the net, leaving her rival to scramble and then finding a way through.

It was pointed out to Zheng that in looking at the post-match stats, there wasn't much to separate her and Siegemund, except for how she handled herself at the net.

That made sense to Zheng, who was often left without answers as Siegemund's shots passed her.

"I think I didn't make the right choices in the approach. I didn't look where she move[d]," Zheng said.

"But yes, I would say in the future I would like to improve my net game."

Zheng showed off plenty of variety too, delivering some delightful drop shots.

Qinwen Zheng slides to a backhand during her straight-sets loss. (Getty: Fred Lee)

The crowd on John Cain Arena, many of whom were there to support China's brightest tennis talent, were treated to a real spectacle.

Siegemund's win might be a testament to the value of the doubles game, which is so often overlooked.

She was prepared for a tough fight, and she brought a level of intensity to the match that was stunning to witness.

"I'm particularly happy about how I maintained that throughout the match, because a player like her stays dangerous," Siegemund said.

The German couldn't hide her joy on the court, collapsing to the ground in utter disbelief.

Chinese hopes for rising talent

Until her meeting with Siegemund, Zheng had gone from strength to strength.

Qinwen Zheng won gold fpr China against Donna Vekic of Croatia at the Paris 2024 Olympics. (Reuters: Pilar Olivares)

She's broadly seen as an exciting new talent in the sport.

In 2023 she was named the most improved player by the WTA, and the year before that, she was named the WTA Newcomer of the Year.

She also made it to the end of year WTA Finals in 2024, losing to Coco Gauff.

Many Chinese fans are hoping she can replicate the success of compatriot Li Na, who won the 2014 Australian Open.

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While fans of Zheng were disappointed at her second-round exit, many were hopeful she would go on to do great things for Chinese tennis.

"She's the biggest star right now," said Kevin, who travelled from the US for the Australian Open.

Another fan, Min, was from the same province of Hubei as Zheng.

"She's more consistent ... she’s very aggressive now," Min said of Zheng's game.

ABC Sport Daily podcast ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that's making headlines. "She's very charming and a positive person ... we just like her!"

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