Yuan Yue swept into the quarterfinals, Shang Juncheng withdrew from doubles, Wu Yibing defeated a Japanese player, and Ziwei suffered an upset.

Three minutes daily to catch up on world tennis news. Hello tennis fans, today is Thursday, February 26, 2026. Welcome to the midday news report brought to you by "Tennis Home."

Early this morning Beijing time, the WTA500 Merida tournament's singles second round took place. In a morning match, last year's runner-up from Colombia, Arango, retired due to injury while trailing 2-6, 6-1, 2-0, granting Czech player Buzkova a walkover into the quarterfinals.

In another match, Andorran player Casinseva mounted a tough comeback to defeat the 8th seed, Polish player Linette, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-5, securing a quarterfinal spot and awaiting the winner between Zhang Shuai and Navarro; British player Bolt advanced easily to the quarters after Colombian Osorio retired following a 6-3 first set loss.

WTA250 Austin: Near midday, in a key singles second-round match, Chinese star Yuan Yue performed excellently, dominating Hungarian player Gálfi 6-3, 6-2 to reach the tour quarterfinals for the second time this season. She will next face the winner of Zahalova and Krug. Masarova, Townsend, and Selekhmeteva also won their matches to secure quarterfinal spots.

In a first-round doubles match, Chinese duo Wang Xinyu and Zheng Saisai were defeated 3-6, 4-6 by Zahalova and Selekhmeteva, exiting in their debut. Thus, Wang Meiren was eliminated in the first round in both singles and doubles at this event.

Let's turn to the men's side. Early this morning Beijing time, the ATP500 Dubai tournament concluded its singles second round, with all quarterfinalists decided. Top seed Aliassime defeated French qualifier Pericard 6-4, 6-4, marking his third consecutive win over him, and will face Czech star Lehecka, who eliminated Spaniard Busta in straight sets.

Fifth seed Rublev overcame French veteran Humbert 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3 to reach the quarters. Next, he will face another Frenchman, Linderknech, who ousted 4th seed and British No.1 Draper in three sets. Dutch player Griekspoor played brilliantly, eliminating 2nd seed and Kazakh star Bublik 6-3, 7-6(4). In the quarters, he will face Czech rising star Menšík, who defeated Australian veteran Poplin in straight sets.

The other two quarterfinal spots were claimed by American Brooksby and Russian star Medvedev. Brooksby defeated 7th seed Khachanov 7-6(6), 6-4, while Medvedev dominated former champion Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3.

Chinese young player Shang Juncheng and Kazakh partner Bublik announced their withdrawal before the doubles quarterfinal match, granting their opponents a walkover. This marks the end of Shang Juncheng’s journey in Dubai.

ATP500 Acapulco: Around noon Beijing time, in a key singles second-round match, Chinese player Wu Yibing, buoyed by his first-round victory over Norway's top player Ruud, defeated Japanese player Shimabukuro 6-3, 7-6(4) to reach the singles quarterfinals at the highest level of his career so far, marking his fourth time reaching a tour quarterfinal. He will next compete against 5th seed Italian Cobolli for a semifinal spot.

Top seed Zverev lost in an upset after a tough three-set battle with Serbian Kecmanovic, including two tiebreaks, falling 3-6, 7-6, 6-7 and missing the quarterfinals. The winner Kecmanovic will face French player Arthaud in the quarters.

ATP250 Santiago: In the singles second round, Italian Darderi defeated Argentine Navone 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals; Hanfmann, Pellegrino, and Gombos also won their matches to secure quarterfinal places.

Finally, a guess and recognition challenge. The photo below shows a player collapsing in celebration after a victory. Without any hints, can you identify who he is?

Last time's guess was answered correctly by tennis fans. Indeed, the person in the picture is former world No.1 and Russian Tsar Safin.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Independent Thinker)