Marketa Vondrousova's first defence of her Wimbledon title ended at the first hurdle when she was beaten in straight sets by Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic cruised to an easy win just 27 days after a knee operation but Andy Murray was forced to pull out of the singles tournament following his recent back surgery.
Czech sixth seed Vondrousova was a shock winner at the All England Club last year when she became the first unseeded woman to claim the trophy at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.
But Vondrousova – who arrived in London as a fitness doubt after injuring her right hip in a fall at the Berlin tournament last month – was thrashed 6-4, 6-2 by world No 83 Bouzas Maneiro on her return to Centre Court.
German legend Steffi Graf was the last defending champion to lose in the opening round, when she was beaten by Lori McNeil in 1994.
Until Tuesday, the Spaniard had never defeated a top-40 player, while her only other grass-court match this year was a first-round loss in a low-key event in Italy.
“This is one of the most important moments in my life and career,” said Bouzas Maneiro. “She is one of the best players in the world so there was no pressure for me. I could just enjoy the moment and play freely.”
The 21-year-old added: “I'm really surprised with myself, honestly. At the beginning I was a little bit nervous but then after the first game the atmosphere was so nice and I was comfortable here, like I was at home.”
There were no such problems for fourth seed and 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, with the Kazakh easing past Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-1 on Court One. Fifth-seeded American Jessica Pegula is also through after demolishing countrywoman Ashlyn Krueger 6-2, 6-0 on Court Two.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray's hopes of being fit for singles action at this year's tournament are over after the two-time champion failed to recover in time from back surgery.
The 37-year-old was desperate to make one final singles appearance on his beloved Centre Court but admitted defeat ahead of his first-round match against Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic.
Murray, who secured the title in 2013 and 2016, underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his spine last month after being forced to pull out of Queen's, a procedure he described as “not insignificant”. The cyst was compressing his nerves making Murray lose control and power in his right leg.
Despite the latest setback in what has been an injury-ravaged last few years in his career, the three-time Grand Slam winner – who also won the 2012 US Open – was determined to give himself as much chance as possible of enjoying a singles farewell at SW19.
But Murray ran out of time for that, although the former world No 1 will still play doubles with his brother Jamie in what is bound to be an emotional farewell in front of his adoring British fans. He was replaced in the draw by Belgium's David Goffin, a lucky loser from qualifying.
“It’s probably a few days too soon. But I worked extremely hard to at least give myself a chance to play. It was the right decision,” said Murray on Tuesday afternoon.
“It is extremely disappointing that I wasn’t able to play but, at the same time, where I’m at 10 days after the operation in comparison to where I was told I would be and what my expectations were is incredible really.
“I obviously practised with my brother today and I look forward to playing the doubles.”
Murray, who ended a 77-year wait for a British men's singles champion at the London Slam, has a Wimbledon record of 61 wins and 13 defeats which puts him ninth in the all-time list, between Rafael Nadal and Jimmy Connors.
He is on record saying that this year is set to be his last on the court and could well bow out at this summer's Olympic Games. The tennis competition in Paris begins on July 27.
In the men's draw on Tuesday, Djokovic proved once again that he should never be written off after cruising to victory on Centre Court just 27 days after a knee operation.
The 37-year-old’s chances of featuring at Wimbledon looked all but impossible when he went under the knife in Paris last month for surgery on a torn meniscus.
But a 6-1 6-2 6-2 first-round stroll against Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva demonstrated to the doubters that not only is Djokovic fit, but he is also determined to at least challenge for title number eight at the All England Club.
Afterwards, Djokovic said: “I’m very pleased with the way I felt on the court. Obviously coming into this year was different circumstances because of the knee, and didn’t know how everything would unfold on the court. I’m extremely glad about the way I felt and the way I played.
“I tried to really focus on the game and not think too much about the knee. I’ve done everything possible in the last three and a half weeks. If it was any other tournament I probably wouldn’t have risked it – but I love Wimbledon.”
Polish seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz rallied from a set down to beat Moldova's Radu Albot 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Jawan
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if you go
The flights
Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.
The tour
While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).
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How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
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The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3
Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)
Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)
Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)
Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)
Company profile
Name: Tharb
Started: December 2016
Founder: Eisa Alsubousi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Luxury leather goods
Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Rashford 36')
Liverpool 1 (Lallana 84')
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)
