Second seed Halep dumped out by qualifier Zhang

Romania's Simona Halep reacts after losing a point during her first round match against China's Zhang Shuai at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Reed

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Second seed Simona Halep continued a day of shocks at the Australian Open on Tuesday when she was knocked out in the first round by Zhang Shuai, going down 6-4 6-3 to the inspired Chinese qualifier.

Halep's stunning defeat by a woman 131 spots below her in the world rankings came after eighth seed Venus Williams and men's fifth seed Rafa Nadal had been sent packing on day two of the tournament.