Ons Jabeur's historic Wimbledon came to an end at the quarter-finals on Tuesday, but the Tunisian leaves the All England Club having earned another milestone in her trailblazing career and a swathe of new supporters.
Jabeur, 26, had overcome three successive Grand Slam champions to become the first Arab woman, and first Tunisian player, to reach the last-eight at Wimbledon. Given the irresistible performance of opponent Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals, she might have just faced the next Grand Slam champion, too.
The second seed from Belarus is one of the most powerful players on the WTA Tour and has a game ready-made for the grass courts, so her previous disappointments at Wimbledon — she had only won one match in three previous visits — were a mystery.
Sabalenka has evidently unlocked the enigma this year and was well worth her 6-4, 6-3 win over Jabeur to reach her first major semi-final. It was a display of constant pressure and while the craft and shot-making of Jabeur contributed to an entertaining duel, Sabalenka's power and aggression ultimately prevailed.
“I'm really happy with this win. It's always tough against Ons, she's an amazing player and person,” Sabalenka, 23, said. “I'm happy it looks like everything is working for me. It's really tricky, [making] shots on the grass. It's sometimes hard to do anything with the ball. It fits my game and I'm really enjoying my time on the court.”
Sabalenka advances to a semi-final against former world No 1 Karolina Pliskova for what promises to be a battle of the big servers. Pliskova, seeded eighth, is another player who should be suited to grass but had until this year struggled to make much of an impact at Wimbledon. There were few struggles in her quarter-final match against Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic, though, as the Czech raced to a 6-2, 6-2 victory.
“Pliskova is a great player and she's serving well,” Sabalenka said. “Her game fits really well on the grass and I'm going to do all I can to enjoy this one.”
For Jabeur, the defeat brings to an end a highly successful grass court swing. She won her first WTA Tour title at the Birmingham Classic last month — another historic milestone as the first Arab woman to win a top-tier tournament — before her unprecedented run at Wimbledon.
The stunning victories over two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza and former Roland Garros winner Iga Swiatek have made Jabeur a firm fan favourite and her contribution to these Championships were recognised by thunderous applause as she walked off Centre Court.
Excitingly, this feels only the beginning for Jabeur. Her talent has never been questioned but only relatively recently has she had the application to match. It won't be too long until more milestones are achieved and the leading light of Arab tennis gives her fans in the region more cause to celebrate.
Jabeur can take inspiration from another late bloomer on the WTA Tour as Angelique Kerber continued her sudden improvement in form to reach the semi-finals.
Kerber, who won the first of her three Grand Slam titles at the age of 28, struggled for much of the season before stepping foot on the grass courts. After winning a Wimbledon tune-up event in Bad Homburg, the German extended her winning streak to 10 matches with a routine 6-2, 6-3 victory over Czech 19th seed Karolina Muchova.
“I really enjoy every moment here. It was a tight match, she played really well and I knew I had to play my best tennis today,” said Kerber, who is two wins away from her second Wimbledon title.
“I'm so happy to be in the semi-final, it means a lot to me and I'm so happy to be here playing in front of you guys — thank you so much.”
When asked if she could explain her dramatic change in form, Kerber said: “It's the grass, and you guys. I was excited to play the grass court season after a one year break. I am so happy I can play my tennis again, having my heart on the court and enjoying my time. I'm so happy to be in the semis now.”
Kerber, the 2018 champion, will take on Ashleigh Barty for a place in the final after the world No 1 and top seed came through an all-Australian battle with a comfortable 6-1 6-3 win over Ajla Tomljanovic.
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How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Specs
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Overall head-to-head
Federer 6-1 Cilic
Head-to-head at Wimbledon
Federer 1-0 Cilic
Grand Slams titles
Federer 18-1 Cilic
Best Wimbledon performance
Federer: Winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012)
Cilic: Final (2017*)
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Specs
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
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Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
