Zhang Zhizhen suffers a sharp defeat to Mager, Messi battles Sinner, Gauff saves three match points, Ivan starts a new coaching role

Three minutes daily to catch up on all tennis news. Hello tennis fans, today is Thursday, February 19, 2026, the third day of the first lunar month in the Bingwu year. Welcome to the Tennis Home news midday report.

Last night Beijing time, the ATP500 Qatar Doha event progressed. In the second round singles match, Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen was swept out 6-3, 6-2 by the 6th seed, Czech rising star Mager, missing out on the quarterfinals.

The victorious Mager will face the 2nd seed and world number two Sinner for a spot in the semifinals; Sinner defeated Australian veteran Poplin 6-3, 7-5. Defending champion and Russian star Rublev cruised past Hungarian Marosan 6-2, 6-4 to reach the last eight. Next, he will meet Greek top player Tsitsipas, who played brilliantly to beat old rival Medvedev 6-3, 6-4 in straight sets, claiming his 15th “Messi” battle win and ending a three-match losing streak to Medvedev, bringing their head-to-head to 10-5.

Former champion and Russian powerhouse Khachanov fought back in the final set to defeat Hungarian Vrsovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, advancing to the quarterfinals where he will face top seed Alcaraz. The world number one eliminated Frenchman Ruud 6-2, 7-5.

ATP500 Rio: In the second round singles match, Argentina’s young Cerundolo edged out Germany’s Hanfmann 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 to advance, while his elder brother Cerundolo retired due to injury trailing 2-6, 1-3.

ATP250 Delray Beach: The second round singles matches took place last night Beijing time. Hong Kong’s Wong Ze Lin played impressively to beat American Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 7-6 and reached the quarterfinals; Italian Cobolli defeated Frenchman Altmaier 7-5, 6-4; American Korda overcame compatriot Mickelson 6-3, 7-6, each securing a spot in the last eight.

Women’s tour: At the WTA1000 Dubai quarterfinals, 3rd seed Gauff saved three match points to narrowly defeat Belgian Mertens 2-6, 7-6(9), 6-3, maintaining a perfect 5-0 record against her and advancing to the quarters. Next, she will face Philippine top player Iejla, who beat Romanian Costea 7-5, 6-4 to reach her second career WTA1000 quarterfinal.

7th seed Svitolina came from behind to defeat 9th seed Bencic 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, extending her winning streak over Bencic to four matches and reaching the quarterfinals for the fifth time at this event. She will next face lucky loser Ruzici, who received a retirement gift from top seed Rybakina in the deciding set. According to post-match reports, Rybakina retired due to illness rather than injury.

In an all-American clash, 4th seed Pegula defeated 16th seed Jovic 6-4, 6-2 to advance strongly to the quarterfinals. She will next contest a semifinal spot against Danish rising star Tauson, who beat Poland’s Linette 6-4, 6-2. Defending champion and 5th seed Mira Andreeva played steadily to overcome Romanian Cristian 7-5, 6-3 and reach the quarters.

This marks “Little Spicy’s” eighth time reaching a WTA1000 quarterfinal. She will next compete against 2nd seed Anisimova for a semifinal berth; Anisimova defeated Indonesia’s Zeng Limi 6-1, 6-3 to reach her first quarterfinal at this event and sixth WTA1000 quarterfinal overall.

Now for some breaking news. Last night Beijing time, foreign media reported that Djokovic’s former esteemed coach and Croatian legend Ivanisevic has officially teamed up with French rising star Fils as his new coach.

Since parting ways with Djokovic in March 2024, Ivanisevic has had brief coaching stints with several players including Tsitsipas and Rybakina, but none lasted long. Since August last year, he had been idle at home, but now he has finally resumed coaching duties.

Finally, let’s play a guessing game. In the photo below, a player is shaking hands with Serena Williams after a match. Without hints, can you identify who she is?

In the previous guessing game, some fans gave the correct answer. Yes, the person in the picture is Australian Kyrgios.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Independent Thinker)