Spain's Carlos Alcaraz will renew his rivalry with tennis legend Novak Djokovic in the 2024 Wimbledon men's singles final on Sunday.
Twelve months ago the pair produced one of the greatest matches in Centre Court history, a rollercoaster ride that finished with rising star Alcaraz claiming victory after five thrilling sets against the all-time leading Grand Slam winner.
On Sunday, Alcaraz will look to retain his crown and win his second Wimbledon title. Djokovic will go for his eighth. If he pulls it off, at 37, he will be the oldest champion of the modern era and equal Roger Federer's record tally of titles.
With Alcaraz having clinched his place in the final with a four-set 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Daniil Medvedev in the earlier semi-final on Friday, Djokovic, who has been in prickly mood all week in London, made a statement of intent by dispatching Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets 6-4, 7-6, 6-4 on Centre Court.
The Serb, who mimicked playing a violin to a chorus of boos after the match, said in his on-court interview: "Wimbledon has been a childhood dream for me to play it and to win it. It is worth repeating I was a seven-year-old boy watching the bombs fly over my head and dreaming of being on the most important court in the world which is here in Wimbledon.
"I was constructing Wimbledon trophies out of any material in the room! I have the tremendous support from my family and my wife has been with me for many years and my children too – it has been an incredible journey.
"I try not to take it for granted every time I find myself on this unique court. Obviously during the match it is business time and trying to do your work and I try out play my opponent. I am satisfied and pleased, but I don’t want to stop here – hopefully I get my hands on the trophy."
On playing Alcaraz, he added: "He's as complete of a player as they come. He's one of the greatest 21-year-olds we've ever seen in this sport."
Djokovic, who played in his first Wimbledon semi-final in 2007 when Musetti was just five, had the luxury of three days off to rest the knee he had surgery on last month, after quarter-final opponent Alex De Minaur pulled out injured.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion clinched the first break of the match for 4-2 and turned to wave his arms at the crowd, asking for more noise. They duly obliged, but the response was nothing compared to the roar which met 22-year-old Musetti breaking back as Djokovic served for the opening set.
However, when Musetti tried one drop-shot too many and watched it land apologetically into the net, Djokovic eased a set in front. The Italian hit back after a Djokovic double fault afforded him two break points, the second of which he converted with a swish of that backhand.
But Djokovic hauled himself back on serve to love, wriggled out of a spot of bother at 5-5, 15-30 with three aces and whizzed through the tie-break – only briefly pausing to applaud a stunning round-the-net Musetti winner – for a two-set lead.
A break at the start of the third, sealed with a backhand cross-court winner, extinguished any fire Musetti had left in him as Djokovic eased into his 10th Wimbledon final.
Earlier in the day, Alcaraz reached his fourth Grand Slam final when he recovered from a set down to defeat Medvedev.
"Obviously it will be a really difficult match. Let's see who I am going to play on Sunday," said Alcaraz who crunched 55 winners to the 31 from Medvedev.
"I feel like I am not new anymore. I know how I am going to feel before the final. I have been in this position before."
He added: "I started really nervous today. Daniil was dominating the match, playing great tennis. It was difficult for me."
Twice Medvedev, beaten by the Spaniard at the same stage last year, led with breaks in the first set only to be pinned back.
Such was his frustration that he was handed a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct by umpire Eva Asderaki for an apparent foul-mouthed reaction to a ball called for bouncing twice as he was broken in the ninth game.
The tournament referee and supervisor were even summoned to Centre Court by Asderaki, but Medvedev shrugged off the incident to sweep through the tie-break and take the opening set in which he committed only eight unforced errors to the Spaniard's 15.
It was the third time at this year's Wimbledon that Alcaraz had dropped the first set. Alcaraz recovered impressively, breaking Medvedev for a 3-1 lead in the second, having come out on top in the previous game on the back of a 27-shot rally.
The 21-year-old then hit 14 winners in the third set, pocketing the only break in the third game.
Medvedev, who had knocked out world number one Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, retrieved a break early in the fourth set. But Alcaraz kept up his assault, edging ahead again for 4-3 on his way to victory.
The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 20: 11am to 7pm - Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Festival and Para jiu-jitsu.
Sunday, April 21: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (female) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Monday, April 22: 11am to 6pm - Abu Dhabi World Youth (male) Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Tuesday, April 23: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Wednesday, April 24: 11am-6pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Thursday, April 25: 11am-5pm Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Friday, April 26: 3pm to 6pm Finals of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Saturday, April 27: 4pm and 8pm awards ceremony.
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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RESULT
Norway 1 Spain 1
Norway: King (90 4')
Spain: Niguez (47')
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mobile phone packages comparison
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Honeymoonish
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Naga
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