World No 2 Aryna Sabalenka and fifth seed Coco Gauff both made surprise exits from German Open in Berlin on Thursday.
Belarusian Sabalenka, who was top seed at Steffi Graf Stadion, lost 6-2, 6-7 to Veronika Kudermetova, while American teenager Gauff was trounced 6-4, 6-0 by Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Wimbledon champion and second seed Elena Rybakina was beaten in three sets by Donna Vekic on Wednesday.
It was another disappointing defeat for Sabalenka – who lost to the unseeded Karolina Muchova in the French Open semi-finals earlier this month – with Wimbledon less than two weeks away.
Kudermetova, who beat Sabalenka at the same stage last year, outclassed her opponent in the first set, and was able to defend well against the serves, with her forehand particularly impressive.
Australian Open champion Sabalenka began to play some better tennis late in the second set after initially losing her serve and managed to force a tie-break, but failed to take Kudermetova into a third set.
“I’m super happy. For me it’s important to play like that. I know Aryna plays aggressive, I had to play aggressive too. I always believe in myself,” said the 26-year-old, who will now take on Alexandrova in the quarter-finals on Friday.
“I’m already a bit used to playing on grass, which maybe helped a bit.”
Meanwhile, Alexandrova extended her winning streak to seven matches, after defending her 's-Hertogenbosch title last week, with a 75-minute demolition of Gauff.
The 28-year-old had lost to Gauff in their only previous meeting at the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships but, after going 3-1 down in the first set, proceeded to win 11 of the last 12 games to seal her quarter-final spot.
“Grass is not my favourite surface, but somehow I'm managing to play so well on it,” admitted Alexandrova. “And maybe the score looks easy, but it's never like that because she played amazing.
“I needed to stay focused during every single point to keep it that way. I'm just hoping I can keep this form as long as I can.”
Jule Niemeier, who defeated defending champion and sixth seed Ons Jabeur in the first round, was forced to retire from her match against Marketa Vondrousova with the Czech 6-3, 6-5 ahead.
Vondrousova will now face the winner of sixth seed Maria Sakkari's match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
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Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
