"Never happened to me before" - Zheng Qinwen taken by "surprise" after unexpected 'code violation' in Australian Open 2R loss
Zheng Qinwen was taken by surprise after an unexpected code violation during the 2025 Australian Open. She received it while competing in the second round of the Grand Slam tournament.
Beginning her 2025 season at the Melbourne Major without participating in any preparatory events, Zheng, who finished as the runner-up in 2024, was seeded fifth in the tournament. She started her campaign by defeating qualifier Anca Todoni 7-6(3), 6-1 in the first round. However, her journey came to an end in the second round when she was defeated by Laura Siegemund 6-7(3), 3-6.
During the post-match press conference following her loss, Qinwen addressed the time violation she received during the match. She explained that the violation occurred because she was unable to see the time clock in the arena, as it was not within her direct line of sight.
“Yes. Cause you know with my angle, the time was on the side so I couldn't see if I bounce the ball. I couldn't catch the time. So I don't know if I'm late or I'm early and I was so surprised to get that second serve because it never happened to me before because the time was not directly in my vision zone, like straight away," Zheng said.
The World No. 5 admitted that the time violation distracted her from her game, as it was the first time she received the violation in her four years on the tour.
“Obviously it really distract me from the match. Also it's the first time I have this situation about time violation I think. This is my fourth year in the tour and it never happened to me," she added.
Before beginning her 2025 season, Zheng Qinwen had an outstanding 2024, winning two titles - first by defending her title at the Palermo Ladies Open and then claiming victory at the Japan Women's Open.
The World No. 5 also secured the Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics by defeating Donna Vekic and had runner-up finishes at the Australian Open and the WTA Finals.
After defeating Zheng Qinwen, Laura Siegemund will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Anastasia Potapova in Australian Open 2025 3R
![Laura Siegemund at the 2025 Australian Open [Image Source: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/87b6c-17369224619558-1920.jpg?w=500)
After defeating Zheng Qinwen in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open, Laura Siegemund will next face either 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Anastasia Potapova in the third round. Siegemund's best singles performance at the Melbourne Major has been reaching the third round, a feat she has accomplished three times - in 2016, 2023, and now in 2025.
Siegemund's journey to the third round included a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 win over Hailey Baptiste in the first round, followed by a victory against Zheng Qinwen. The German has previously faced Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova twice on the WTA Tour, with each player claiming one victory. Their last encounter was in the first round of the 2016 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, where Siegemund emerged victorious with a score of 6-0, 7-5.
On the other hand, Laura Siegemund has only faced Anastasia Potapova once on the WTA Tour, during the first round of the 2021 Dubai Tennis Championships where the Russian emerged victorious with a score of 6-3, 6-2.