Zhang Shuai exhausted in deciding set, misses final; fans advise Medvedev to flee quickly; Zverev quietly snatches championship

Three minutes a day, stay updated on global tennis. Hello tennis fans, today is Sunday, March 1, 2026. Welcome to the News Noon Report brought to you by "Tennis Home".

First, let's focus on the match results of Chinese players. This morning Beijing time, in the first singles semifinal of the WTA500 Mérida tournament, Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai battled Poland's Fletcher for 2 hours and 34 minutes. Although Zhang saved 4 match points in the second set and leveled the match by winning the tiebreak, she ran out of steam in the latter part of the deciding set, ultimately losing 2-6, 7-6(6), 3-6, regrettably missing the final. Fletcher, meanwhile, reached a WTA 500 final for the third time in her career and will await the winner between Italy's "Little Cannon" Paolini and Spain's Bucșa.

Mérida Doubles: In the second semifinal held early this morning Beijing time, the Chinese duo Tang Qianhui/Xu Yifan lost 5-7, 5-7 to Havlag/Lumsden, missing the final. The victorious Havlag/Lumsden will face the No.2 seeds Jiang Xinyu/Bucșa for the championship.

WTA250 Austin: In the singles semifinals, local No.4 seed Stearns defeated Australia's Birrell 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, reaching a WTA Tour final for the third time in her career. She will compete for the title against compatriot Townsend, who eliminated fellow American Krueger 7-6(6), 6-3 to reach her first-ever WTA Tour singles final. Thus, Americans have secured both singles final spots at this event.

Now let's turn to the men's tour: Last night Beijing time, ahead of the ATP500 Dubai singles final, Dutch No.1 Griekspoor withdrew due to injury, granting Russian star Medvedev a walkover victory and the championship. This is Medvedev's 23rd career singles title and his first Dubai triumph in three years, making the Dubai Tennis Championships the first tournament he has won twice.

However, due to U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East, the UAE has been affected, with authorities closing airspace indefinitely and suspending all international and domestic flights. Consequently, champion Medvedev, injured Griekspoor, and the players from both men's doubles final pairs are stranded in Dubai with no way out. If the conflict escalates, these four individuals could find themselves in the line of fire, with their personal safety at risk. Some fans suggested: if air travel is impossible, try leaving by land; don't delay, as complications may arise—leave the danger zone promptly, safety first!

ATP500 Acapulco: In the singles semifinals, No.8 seed Tiafoe saved his opponent's match-serving game and came back to defeat compatriot Brandon Nakashima 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-4. He will face Italy's Cobolli for the championship.

Doubles Final: Germany's Alexander Zverev, disappointed in singles, partnered with Brazilian veteran Melo to defeat Erler/Galloway 6-3, 6-4, winning their first tour-level doubles title together. This is Zverev's 3rd men's doubles title, while it's Melo's 42nd.

The singles finalists for ATP250 Santiago were also determined this morning Beijing time. Germany's Hanfmann eliminated top seed and Argentine star F. Cerundolo 6-3, 6-4 to meet No.2 seed and Italian Darderi in the final. Darderi comfortably defeated another Argentine, Baez, 6-4, 6-3.

Now let's look ahead to next week's events. Early this morning Beijing time, the WTA1000 Indian Wells tournament announced the singles qualifying draw. Britain's Boulter is the top seed, while Chinese player Yuan Yue is also competing, facing Hungary's Gálfi in the first round. Yuan just defeated Gálfi in straight sets in the second round of the Austin tournament, giving her a clear psychological advantage for this rematch.

Finally, time for a guess-and-recognize challenge. The image below shows a player slipping during a match. Without any hints, can you identify who it is?

The correct answer to the previous guess was provided by Shanghai-based fan "Liu Yang". That's right, the person in the picture is Australian star Tomljanović.

(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Maverick)