Five major dark horses emerge from ten semifinals, Nadal's younger brother advances to championship match for the first time, Zhang Shuai loses luggage and urgently seeks assistance.

Three minutes a day, know all tennis affairs around the world. Hello tennis fans, today is Sunday, April 5, 2026. Welcome to listen and watch the noon news provided by "Tennis Home".

From last night to this morning Beijing time, the singles semifinals of three ATP and two WTA tournaments this week concluded successively, with all finalists determined. Surprisingly, among these ten semifinals, five major dark horses won and advanced to the finals, aiming to challenge for their first career title.

ATP250 Houston: Fourth seed, local star Tommy Paul narrowly defeated second seed and compatriot Frances Tiafoe 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7), reaching his first clay court championship match. In the other semifinal, Argentine dark horse Bruchaga easily defeated compatriot Tirante 6-1, 6-1, entering his first tour-level final.

ATP250 Marrakech: Rafael Nadal's younger brother, Rafa Hodar, swept past Argentine player Carabelli 6-2, 6-1, advancing to his first tour-level final, with his live world ranking rising to No. 66. In the other semifinal, the 36-year-old Argentine eliminated defending champion Italian Darderi 6-4, 7-6(2), becoming the oldest player in the Open Era to reach a tour-level final for the first time. Two qualifier dark horses meet in the final, a lineup that surprises most fans.

ATP250 Bucharest: Seventh seed Argentine Navone battled for 3 hours and 31 minutes, saving two match points, and dramatically reversed eighth seed Dutchman Van de Schansup 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5, reaching his third tour-level final and continuing to pursue his first tour title. In the other match, Spanish qualifier dark horse Merida strongly reversed third seed Hungarian star Marosan 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-1, entering his first tour-level final.

Women's field: In the WTA500 Charleston singles semifinal, defending champion and top seed Pegula narrowly defeated compatriot younger sister Jovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 in a local derby, winning four three-set matches this week, advancing to the tournament final for the second consecutive year, just one win away from defending the title.

In the other match, Ukrainian dark horse Starodubtseva completely defeated local fifth seed Keys 6-1, 6-4, achieving her third victory against a TOP20 player and entering her first tour-level final.

WTA250 Bogota: In the singles semifinal, top seed Bouzkova eliminated Argentine qualifier player Ortenzi 7-6(5), 6-2, advancing to the tournament final again after two years, marking the Czech player's first this year and ninth career tour-level final.

In the other duel, eighth seed Udvardy overcame a 2-5 deficit in the deciding set, ultimately narrowly defeating local player Arango 7-6(6), 3-6, 7-6(5), entering her first career championship match.

Let's turn attention to WTA500 Linz. Beijing time last night, the doubles draw for this tournament was released. Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai partnered with Romanian Kostea to compete, facing American duo Stephens/Wolinetz in the first round. Chinese players Tang Qianhui, Yang Zhaoxuan, Liang Ensuo will also participate.

Additionally, after arriving in Linz, Austria, Zhang Shuai suddenly discovered her luggage missing. Upon inquiry, it was found that the luggage was still in Washington and did not arrive with her. With matches about to start, after unsuccessful attempts through multiple channels, Zhang Shuai helplessly sought assistance from the Austrian National Tourism Office via Xiaohongshu. Up to now, the Austrian National Tourism Office has replied that they received the message and are handling it.

Finally, let's guess and recognize. The image below shows a player during a match. Without hints, can you recognize who he is?

For the previous guessing game, a fan provided the correct answer. Indeed, the person in the image is men's singles world No. 2 Sinner.

(Source: Tennis Home Author: Unique)