On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Shang Juncheng was defeated by Medvedev, while Huang Zelin eliminated Borges; Zhang Shuai and Jiang Xinyu were knocked out on New Year's Eve.

Three minutes daily to keep you updated on global tennis news. Hello tennis fans, today is Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the first day of the first lunar month in the Bingwu year. Wishing all players great luck in the Year of the Horse, good health, and success in all their endeavors! Welcome to the Tennis Home news midday report.

Last night Beijing time, the ATP 500 Qatar Doha event began. In a key match early this morning, young Chinese player Shang Juncheng struggled and was swept aside 6-4, 6-2 by the fourth seed, Russian star Medvedev, missing out on his first victory against him and the first win of the Year of the Horse. Medvedev will next face the winner between Tsitsipas and Eshaqi.

Other matches: World No. 2 Sinner showed steady form, easily defeating Czech player Machac 6-1, 6-4 to advance comfortably in his debut. Czech rising star Menšík came from behind to beat qualifier Chojnacki 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4, securing a winning start. Fils, Poplin, and Royer also won their respective matches to reach the second round.

ATP 500 Rio de Janeiro: In the first-round singles matches, Chilean Tabillo, Serbian Lajovic, German Hanfmann, Czech Kopriva, and Peruvian Ignashiva all won their matches to advance to round two.

ATP 250 Delray Beach: Hong Kong player Huang Zelin performed excellently in his debut, defeating Portuguese Borges 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 to move into the second round. Americans Mickelson, Giron, Tiafoe, and Frenchman Altmaier also won their opening matches to progress.

Women’s court: On the second day of the WTA 1000 Dubai event, Russian star Kalinskaya came back from a set down to beat Latvian Ostapenko 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, maintaining a perfect 4-0 record against her. In the second round, she will face the third seed and top American player Gauff. In another match, Croatian lucky loser Rudić caused an upset by defeating British top player Raducanu 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.

Swiss veteran Bencic, Spaniard Badosa, lucky loser Zakharova, Americans Navarro and Jovic, Romanian Costea, Cristian, Danish rising star Tauson, qualifier Gracheva, and Australian Kasatkina all won their first-round matches. Meanwhile, Canadian rising star Mboko, runner-up in Doha, withdrew from Dubai due to a right elbow injury.

In the early second-round singles match, Indonesian top player Zeng Limei, playing with a wildcard, defeated Canadian star Fernandez 7-6(5), 6-4, securing her second win over the opponent after the Australian Open and reaching the last 16 of a 1000-level event for the first time in her career. She will face American Anisimova next, who advanced after Czech player Krajicek withdrew due to a left thigh injury.

Doubles court: On New Year's Eve, second seeds Zhang Shuai and Mertens lost 3-6, 3-6 to Olmos and Pegula in the second round, missing out on advancing. Jiang Xinyu and Eikeri were defeated 2-6, 6-4, 5-10 by Buzkova and Turnbull, exiting in the first round.

Finally, let's play a guessing game. The following picture shows the back of a player. Without any hints, can you recognize who she is?

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

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Independent Thinker)