Zheng Qinwen suffers a comeback loss on serve? O'Neal advances to the quarterfinals chasing a record, Bublik defeats Hubi, Fritz moves forward

Three minutes daily to stay informed about tennis worldwide. Greetings to all tennis enthusiasts, today is Thursday, February 12, 2026. You are listening to the Tennis Home news midday update.

This morning Beijing time, the WTA1000 Doha event wrapped up its fourth day. In a key third-round singles match, China’s top player Zheng Qinwen fought for 2 hours and 27 minutes. Despite rallying from 2-5 down in the final set to 5-5, she ultimately lost 6-4, 2-6, 5-7 to the No. 2 seed and newly crowned Australian Open champion, Leylah Fernandez, missing out on the quarterfinals.

After the match, most fans praised Zheng’s overall performance. After more than four months off, returning to push the new Australian Open champ so closely is remarkable and has raised fans’ hopes for her future. Some fans analyzed her loss, citing: first, over-reliance on serve, with critical serving errors preventing effective offense and six double faults; second, a noticeable drop in fitness in the latter part of the final set, leading to increased mistakes, ten break points conceded, and four breaks of serve; third, a low return game success rate (under 35%). Do you think there are other reasons?

Following her ninth consecutive win, Leylah Fernandez will face the No. 10 seed, Canadian rising star Mboko, for a semifinal spot. Mboko saved match points to defeat No. 5 seed, Russian newcomer Mira Andreeva, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), reaching the last eight at a 1000-level event for the second time in her career.

Other matches: Top seed Swiatek came back strongly to beat Australian Kasatkina 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, extending her winning streak to seven. Next, she will face Greek No. 1 Sakari for a semifinal berth, who defeated qualifier Glatchova 7-6(3), 6-0. Russian Kalinskaya eliminated Ukrainian rising star Svitolina 6-4, 6-3 and will contest a semifinal spot against Czech player Muchova, who advanced after compatriot Ka-Pliskova retired in their derby.

Italian lucky loser Cocciaretto defeated American Jabeur 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-4 to reach the 1000-level quarterfinals for the first time. She will next face Latvian Ostapenko, who beat qualifier Osorio 6-3, 6-1, marking her fourth quarterfinal appearance here. Ostapenko surpassed Azarenka and Kvitova’s record (22 matches) to become the player with the most main-draw wins (23) in Doha history.

Turning to the men’s side, last night Beijing time, the ATP500 Rotterdam tournament continued. In a key first-round singles match, No. 3 seed Bublik broke his opponent’s serve in the deciding set to win 6-7(2), 7-6(1), 7-5 over Poland’s top player Hurkacz, ending a six-match losing streak against him and improving their head-to-head to 2-6. In round two, Bublik will face German Struff. Khachanov, Wawrinka, Tsitsipas, and Aliassime also won to advance.

In two completed second-round matches, Australian O’Connell defeated British veteran Norrie 7-6(9), 6-4; Dutch Griekspoor narrowly beat Frenchman Alize 7-5, 7-6(11).

At the ATP500 Dallas event in the US, top seed Fritz battled to a 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(1) victory over compatriot Giron in the opening round to reach round two. Defending champion Shapovalov, local players Shelton and Mickelson, and Serbian Kecmanovic also secured wins.

At the ATP250 Argentina Open, Berrettini, Tabillo, Bruchaga, Carabelli, Buse, and J. Cerundolo all won their first-round singles matches to advance to the second round.

In a key second-round match concluded this morning Beijing time, defending champion and Brazilian rising star Fonseca lost 3-6, 6-3, 5-7 to Chilean Tabillo, ending his title defense and missing the quarterfinals.

Finally, let’s guess and identify. The image below shows a player training. Without hints, can you recognize who she is?

Last time’s guess was correct. Yes, the person in the picture is Swiss legend Federer.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Independent Thinker)