MELBOURNE, Jan 15, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Last year's runner-up Zheng Qinwen was 
knocked out of the Australian Open on Wednesday in the biggest shock so far 
but defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and two-time winner Naomi Osaka 
battled into the third round.

Carlos Alcaraz was an emphatic victor in just 81 minutes over Japan's 
Yoshihito Nishioka as the Spaniard bids to lift the Melbourne crown for the 
first time.

Olympic champion Zheng was sent packing 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 by world number 97 
Laura Siegemund, the second-oldest player in the draw at age 36.

"I knew I just had to play more than my best tennis. I had nothing to lose so 
I just told myself to swing free," said the German.

"It's tennis. Nothing more," said China's Zheng, 22, who was given two time 
violations and lost her cool as her tilt at a maiden major crown evaporated 
in only the second round.

On centre court Sabalenka dropped her serve three times and faced 11 break 
points before overcoming Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3, 7-5, rattling 
off the last five games in a row.

"She played incredible tennis today and it was a really tough one. I expected 
this tennis from her, I'm really glad I was able to win this match," said 
Sabalenka, who beat Zheng in the 2024 final.

The win kept the Belarusian world number one on course for a rare hat-trick 
of consecutive Australian Open titles, a feat last achieved 26 years ago by 
Martina Hingis and only matched by four other women in history.

Former world number one Osaka, the 2019 and 2021 champion in Australia but 
now unseeded, stormed back to defeat 20th seed Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-1, 6-
3.

American seventh seed Jessica Pegula, beaten in the US Open final by 
Sabalenka last year, eased through 6-4, 6-2 against Belgium's Elise Mertens.

Four-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz dropped just five games in an ominous 
display of strength to sprint into the third round.

The third seed showed no mercy to Nishioka in a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 rout.

"The less time you spend on court in the Grand Slams, especially in the 
beginning, it is going to be better," said Alcaraz, who is yet to go beyond 
the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park.

- Djokovic history bid -

Later, Novak Djokovic steps up his bid for tennis history, with Coco Gauff 
and Alexander Zverev also in second-round action.

With new coach Andy Murray in his corner, Djokovic is in pursuit of an 11th 
Melbourne title and record 25th Grand Slam singles crown.

Djokovic made a sluggish start in the first round against American wildcard 
Nishesh Basavareddy on Monday before winning in four sets, his game improving 
the longer the match went on.

"I ended the match in a good fashion. I think that it's important. It counts 
mentally for me, for the rest of the tournament," said Djokovic, who plays 
Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria on Rod Laver Arena.

The Serbian great is drawn to meet Alcaraz in the last eight.

Second seed Zverev of Germany is seeking a first Grand Slam title and has 
enjoyed two days off since his straight-sets win on Sunday night against 
Lucas Pouille.

He again plays in the graveyard slot, the last evening match on Rod Laver 
Arena, this time against Spaniard Pedro Martinez.

World number three Gauff is unbeaten this year after inspiring her country to 
victory in the United Cup and breezing past former champion Sofia Kenin in 
the first round in Melbourne.

She faces Britain's Jodie Burrage.

Lebanese qualifier Hady Habib made history on Sunday when he became the first 
player from his country to win a Grand Slam match.

But the 26-year-old has his work cut out to continue his fairytale run as he 
will face French 14th seed Ugo Humbert.