By Shrivathsa Sridhar MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Last year's runner-up Zheng Qinwen was sent crashing out of the Australian Open second round on Wednesday as her bid to emulate Chinese compatriot Li Na's 2014 triumph evaporated after a shock 7-6(3) 6-3 defeat by unseeded German Laura Siegemund.

Rising star Qinwen Zheng lost in the second round to 36-year-old Laura Siegemund, ranked 97. How did the German unseat last year's finalist?

Zheng Qinwen hits a return during the women's singles 2nd round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Laura Siegemund of Germany at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

The 38-year-old Monfils used his experience and guile to top 21-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in five sets.

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.

Prize money at the Australian Open continues to grow, and this year's tournament is no exception.For 2025, the overall prize pool has been set at $96.5 million – an 11.56 per cent increase on last year's sum.