Zhang Shuai fell to Cristian in the Miami first round, Zhang Zhizhen plays tonight at 23:00.

On March 17 local time, the 2026 ATP/WTA1000 Miami Open commenced the women's singles main draw matches. Chinese player Zhang Shuai lost 3-6, 4-6 to Romanian player Sorana Cristian, ending her singles journey at the first round. She will also partner with Elise Mertens in the women's doubles event at this tournament.

Zhang Shuai (Photo: Visual China)

With this victory, Cristian ended her previous three consecutive losses against Zhang Shuai. She will face the 14th seed Noskova in the second round, having met across the net in three consecutive 1000-level tournaments (Dubai: Cristian won; Indian Wells: Noskova won). Cristian announced last year that she would retire after the 2026 season, yet she has shown strong competitive form this year, including winning the WTA250 Cluj-Napoca tournament in her home country in February.

Zhang Shuai revealed in a pre-Miami interview that she had planned to partner with Cristian in doubles: "I am very familiar with Sorana. Yesterday we agreed to play doubles together at the next tournament, and then today we (were drawn) to face each other. We have known each other since I entered the tennis circle, nearly 20 years now. We both enjoy our current state and can play good tennis."

Other women's singles first-round results:

Tomljanovic 6-3, 6-4 Waltert

Semmez 6-3, 6-2 Maia

Kessler 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 Frech

Jacamo 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-5 [W] Viedmanova

Blinkova 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 Kenin

Osorio 6-1, 6-4 Siniakova

Bolt 7-6(9), 6-4 Bosas Manero

Siegmund 6-4, 6-4 Masinko

Linette 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 Gracheva

Yuan Yue (Photo: Visual China)

The men's and women's singles qualifying rounds also concluded today. Chinese players Yuan Yue, Bu Yunchaokete, and Huang Zelin all unfortunately lost in the final qualifying round. Yuan Yue battled the top seed Birrell in three sets, losing 2-6, 6-2, 4-6. Her next tournament will be the WTA500 Charleston qualifying at the end of this month.

Bu Yunchaokete (Photo: Li Jianyi)

Huang Zelin (Photo: Li Jianyi)

Bu Yunchaokete regrettably missed a 4-1 lead in the deciding set, losing 3-6, 6-3, 5-7 to British player Ferri. This Miami Open was Bu Yunchaokete's first tournament appearance since the Davis Cup in early February. Due to physical reasons, he rested for a month. Previously, he failed to secure wins at the ATP250 Hong Kong and the Australian Open. His first-round qualifying win in Miami was his first singles victory this season. Huang Zelin lost 2-6, 6-3, 2-6 to the top seed Buse, also missing the main draw. Last year, he performed well in Miami, reaching the third round.

The March 18 schedule is released. Chinese player Zhang Zhizhen will play at 23:00 Beijing time tonight, facing French veteran Mannarino. Their only previous meeting was at the 2024 Rome Masters, where Zhang Zhizhen won in two sets. If he advances, he will face the 22nd seed Paul in the second round.

March 18 Schedule

(Text, Editor/ Wang Fei)