China's Zheng Jie returns a shot to Germany's Julia Schruff during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 15, 2007. [Photo: sina.com.cn]   Jan.16 - Reigning Australian Open doubles champion Zheng Jie of China has suffered an early exit from the singles play on the opening day of the grand slam event.

 

The 31st-seeded Chinese squandered a first set lead and lost 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 to Germany's Julia Shruff.

 

Zheng has competed in four Australian Opens since 2004, but she has never made it past the first round of the women's singles.

 

Another Chinese player Sun Tiantian was also eliminated from the first round, losing to Argentine player Gisela Dulko 6-2, 6-2.