Carlos Alcaraz (Image: Getty)
The Olympic gold medalist is out of the Australian to leave Aryna Sabalena with an easier path back to the final.
champion has reached the third round without dropping a set while two-time winner here Naomi Osaka will now face another mum.
And Nick Kyrgios has weighed into Thanasi Kokkinakis’s row with Todd Woodbridge by labelling the doubles legend “jealous”. The Aussie world No.71 will face later.
Afternoon rain stopped play on the outside courts to delay the second round match between Scotland’s Jacob Fearnley – who beat Kyrgios in the first round – and Frenchman Arthur Cazeaux on Court Six.
Jodie Burrage and Harriet Dart also play later today with and back in action on Thursday.
Time’s up for Zheng Qinwen
The Chinese star reached the final here and then won the Olympics. But the No.5 seed suffered the biggest shock of the tournament so far when she lost 7-6 6-3 to German veteran Laura Siegemund.
After an 80-minute first set, Zheng fell 1-3 down in the second set after she was given a second time violation and stripped of a first serve and then served two double faults. Players have 25 seconds to sere.
She complained on the court that she could not see the clock. And in her press conference, Zheng said: “Obviously that one really distract me from the match. It is first time I have this situation about time violation. I think this is my fourth year in the tour, and never happen that to me. Should they move the clock? Yeah, it’s better straightaway to the wall instead of on the side. I got disturbed from that one, but I don’t lose the match for that.”
Zheng Qinwen crashed out of the Australian Open in the second round (Image: Getty)
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No re-match with Sabalenka
The Belarusian beat the Chinese star in last year’s final to retain her title and the two were scheduled to meet here in the quarter-finals.
Now the highest seed left in her section of the draw is No.12 seed Diana Shnaider.
Sabalenaka recorded her 16th consecutive win at Melbourne park when she came back from 2-5 down in the second set to beat Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3 7-5 victory.
And in her press conference, she already knew Zheng was out. “I saw she lost,” said the double champion. “Very sad to see.
“Listen, it’s a slam, you know? Not everyone can handle these emotions. I have to go there, I have to compete, I have to fight. 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.”
is still on course for history
The French Open and champion’s quest to become the youngest ever man to complete the career Grand Slam has gone under the radar at this tournament.
But the Spaniard, 21, is now only five wins away after needing only 81 minutes to beat Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0 6-1 6-4 in only 81 minutes. He fired down 14 aces and won 89% of points on his first serve.
Alcaraz, who has never got beyond the quarter-finals here, said: “I think less time you spend on the court at the Grand Slam, especially at the tournament, it’s good. I’m really happy with the serve today. It’s something I worked in the pre-season and in the first round I struggled a little bit. I’m just glad today it worked pretty well.”
Osaka to play fellow mum Bencic
The Japanese former world No.1 reached her first WTA final since the birth of her daughter Shai in 2023 at the Auckland Classic before pulling out of the final injured.
Now she has got to her first Grand Slam third round as a mother after she overcame a slow start to beat No.20 seed Karolina Muchova 1-6 6-1 6-3.
On her way out of KIA Arena she worte on the camera lens – ‘I love you Aus’.
She will now face former top-10 star and fellow mother Belinda Bencic.
The Swiss is making her return to grand slam tennis following the birth of daughter Bella last April.
The 2020 Olympic champion said: “We’re just doing more fun stuff and trying to go out for a walk or trying to go to the aquarium. I don’t think I would be going to the aquarium before.
“So, just in terms of family time, it’s definitely changed. Different things to do now in terms of preparation, but it’s better because it takes, I think, my mind off tennis a little bit.”
Kyrgios cannot stay out of the headlines
Nine-time doubles champion Todd Woodbridge took issue with Kokkinakis’ decision to play lucrative exhibition matches – including in last month.
The world No.71 hit back at Woodbridge, who also presents the Australian version of Tipping Point, by saying: “That’s why he is trying to host every game show there is under the sun … we’re trying to make a living as much as he is.”
Now Kyrgios, who was knocked out of the singles by Jacob Fearnley on Monday, has entered the fray. The former finalist posted on social media: “Facts!!! We out here earning 6-7 figures at these “exos”. We have every right to go and get that money!!! Don’t be jealous we earning bread!!! We EARNED IT!”
Kokkinakis plays in the John Cain Arena not before 8am UK time on Wednesday.