Stefanos Tsitsipas completed an impressive few days in Abu Dhabi by winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship title after beating defending champion Andrey Rublev in Sunday's final.
The Greek world No 4 was in fine form throughout the three-day tournament at Zayed Sports City, and followed up straight-sets wins over British No 1 Cameron Norrie and Norwegian world No 3 Casper Ruud with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Rublev, the world No 8.
Tsitsipas flew out of the gates and charged into a 4-0 lead in the first set, clinically pouncing on a break point in each of the first and third games while holding his own serve with ease. The 24-year-old was put under some pressure in a marathon sixth game but after fending off two break points, held for a 5-1 lead before closing out the set on serve two games later.
The second set was much more competitive as Rublev found his serve. Neither player offered up a break point until Tsitsipas gave Rublev his first opening of the match at the most critical time, the break point in the 10th game also acting as a set point for the Russian, which he took to level the match.
At that stage, the match looked poised for a closely-fought decider, but Tsitsipas had other ideas, emulating the first set by cruising into a 4-0 lead. From there it was just about completing the formalities, and the Greek closed out the win with a love service hold.
"It was great, I felt very free on the court, I was covering the court much better," said Tsitsipas, who reached the MWTC final in 2019 in his previous appearance. "My serve was very consistent, which helped a lot.
"I know it's an exhibition and I wish to be playing like this in ATP events, but regardless, I see it as a big positive and hopefully I can keep building in this way."
Despite the defeat, it was another successful visit to Abu Dhabi for Rublev, who beat Croatia's Borna Coric in the quarter-finals and world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the semis.
"I feel great about the week," said Rublev, 25, who won last year's title by beating Andy Murray in the final. "All the players are here to play against top players, to feel the tension, to feel the atmosphere and emotions before the season. I've said before, normally I face guys like Tsitsipas and Alcaraz in the quarter-finals and semi-finals but here I play them straight away ... so it helps to prepare for the season."
Earlier on Sunday, Ruud defeated world No 1 Alcaraz 6-1, 6-4 in the third-place playoff.
Alcaraz and world No 3 Ruud received byes into the semi-finals as the tournament's top two seeds, but both lost their semi-finals on Saturday, so instead of meeting in the final – as they did at the US Open and Miami Masters this year – it was for the MWTC bronze.
Alcaraz, sidelined with an abdominal injury since the start of November, started his pre-season late and his rustiness was evident throughout his two days in Abu Dhabi. He lost the first set to Ruud in just 26 minutes, and while he improved significantly in the second, the Spanish teenager was broken was still short of his best.
"In the process of practice, I have been working to recover my level and feel more comfortable on court," the 19-year-old said. "That's the aim; to try and feel more comfortable on court."
Ruud, meanwhile, said his time in Abu Dhabi has given him a "good indication" of where is game is at ahead of the new season.
“One tough match that didn't go my way and I got a win against a good player," Ruud, 23, said. "It gives me quite a good indication. After yesterday, I thought I was quite far behind but after today maybe I’m a bit further ahead than I thought and if I’m playing well I can beat good players."
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
Red Joan
Director: Trevor Nunn
Starring: Judi Dench, Sophie Cookson, Tereza Srbova
Rating: 3/5 stars
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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