Jelena Ostapenko began her bid for the UAE double with a hard-fought victory over Danielle Collins in the first round of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open on Monday evening.
Ostapenko, who won the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title last season, recovered from a second-set wobble to claim a 7-5, 1-6, 7-5 win against 2022 Australian Open finalist Collins.
Collins took the first initiative to lead 5-3, but Ostapenko won the next four games to close out the opening set. The Latvian's momentum was immediately lost as Collins broke twice at the start of the second set for a 4-0 lead and once more to take the match into a decider.
Ostapenko drew first blood in the final set, breaking after a marathon third game, only for her American opponent to level at 4-4. The 2017 French Open champion struck out in front again at a crucial time, breaking Collins for a 6-5 lead, before clinching the victory when Collins sent a forehand return wide.
The sixth seed will take on either fast-rising Chinese star Qinwen Zheng or Canadian qualifier Rebecca Marino in the second round.
In other matches, Belgium's Elise Mertens produced the most convincing victory of the day, crushing Italian Martina Trevisan 6-0, 6-2 in just 75 minutes, and Annet Kontaveit set aside her frustrating start to the season with a come-from-behind 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 victory over China's Shuai Zhang.
The Estonian world No 18 arrived in Abu Dhabi with a 1-3 win-loss record, but started strong against Zhang, breaking in the second game to establish a 3-0 lead. However, the Chinese world No 23 roared back to win the next five games before serving out the set.
Kontaveit pulled herself level after a second-set tiebreak but had four earlier set-point chances to take the match into the decider. The third set was another close battle, with Kontaveit earning the only break in the third game and she will take on either American Shelby Rogers or Canada's Leyla Fernandez in the next round.
Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk came through a see-saw match against Sorana Cirstea, defeating the Romanian 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 to set up a second-round match with Swiss second seed Belinda Bencic.
Day 2 will begin with Qinwen up against Marino on Court 1 from 2pm, followed by the match between Rogers and Fernandez. Singles action on Court 1 continues in the evening session with Switzerland's Jil Teichmann against Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska, and concludes with former French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic taking on Romanian qualifier Elena Gabriela Ruse.
The Stadium Court schedule starts at 3pm with Brazilian sixth seed Beatriz Haddad Maia facing Czech Marie Bouzkova, before Spain's Paula Badosa plays eighth seed Liudmila Samsonova of Russia.
The evening session kicks off from 7pm with arguably the match of the round as Spain's Garbine Muguruza and Czech Karolina Pliskova engage in a battle of the former world No 1s. That is followed by former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu of Canada against Ukrainian qualifier Yulia Putintseva.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Company%20Profile
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Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RESULTS
2.15pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Shawall, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer)
2.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Anna Bella Aa, Fabrice Veron, Abdelkhir Adam
3.15pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner AF Thayer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
3.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner Taajer, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
4.15pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri
4.45pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner Maqaadeer, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Dir: Ron Howard
Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Woody Harrelson
3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
