Black player Xiao exploded by defeating the Australian Open champion to jump into the top ten, stockings controversy over ignoring double bounces, China to face Norway in September

Three minutes daily to catch up on global tennis news. Hello tennis fans, today is Friday, February 13, 2026. Welcome to the midday news briefing brought to you by Tennis Home.

Early this morning Beijing time, the WTA1000 Doha event concluded its singles quarterfinal matches with all semifinalists confirmed. The 10th seed, Canadian rising star Mboko, after trailing 2-4 in the final set, won four consecutive games to defeat the 2nd seed and reigning Australian Open champion Rybakina 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, ending Rybakina’s recent nine-match winning streak and reaching the semifinals of a 1000-level event for the second time in her career. Following this highlight victory, Mboko’s live world ranking has entered the top 10. It’s worth noting that at the start of last season, she was ranked outside the top 300, making her rise remarkably rapid.

Next, the Canadian young black player will compete against Latvian star Ostapenko for a place in the final. Ostapenko defeated Italian lucky loser Cocciaretto 7-5, 6-4, advancing to the semifinals for the fourth time in her career and the ninth time at a 1000-level tournament.

In another key match, Greek No.1 Sakari surged in the later stages to overturn the top seed and three-time champion Swiatek 2-6, 6-4, 7-5, ending a four-match losing streak against her and reaching the semifinals of a 1000-level event for the third time in her career.

During the ninth game of the deciding set, Swiatek, while attempting to save a drop shot from Sakari near the net, clearly took two steps but did not stop play. After Sakari requested a video review, she “reluctantly” won the point. After the match, many fans expressed dissatisfaction with Swiatek’s behavior, believing she must have known it was a double bounce but refused to admit it, raising questions about her sportsmanship.

In another contest, 14th seed Czech player Muchova defeated Russian Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-4, setting up a semifinal clash with Sakari.

Let’s turn to the men’s competition. Last night Beijing time, the ATP500 Rotterdam tournament in the Netherlands completed its singles second round with all quarterfinalists decided. Top seed Deminal beat former champion and Swiss veteran Wawrinka 6-4, 6-2 and will face Dutch player Van der Schueren for a semifinal spot, who defeated Greek star Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6(4). Munar, Bublyk, Humbert, and Aliassime also won their matches to reach the quarterfinals.

At the ATP500 Dallas tournament in the USA, during the singles second round, top seed Fritz defeated fellow American Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 6-4 to reach his first tour quarterfinal of the season; Spanish star Fucina beat local player Mickelson 6-4, 6-4 to secure a quarterfinal spot; in another American derby, Korda eliminated Tiafoe 7-5, 6-1.

The singles quarterfinals for the ATP250 Argentina Open were all set early this morning, with players like Carabelli, Echeverri, Dalderi, F. Cerundolo, Baez, and Martinez winning their second-round matches to secure places in the last eight.

Let’s also look at the Davis Cup. Last night Beijing time, the 2026 Davis Cup World Group I draw was announced. The Chinese team will face Norway away from September 18 to 20 this year. Best wishes to the Chinese players!

Finally, a guessing game. Below is a photo showing the legs of two retired players. Can you identify who they are just by looking at their legs?

In the previous guessing game, fans gave the correct answer. Yes, the person in the picture is China’s top female player Zheng Qinwen.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Lone Maverick)