World No 1 Jannik Sinner dropped a set for the first time in 14 matches before going on to beat wildcard Tristan Schoolkate in four sets at the Australian Open on Thursday.
The defending champion fought back after a slow start to seal his third-round spot with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 victory against the world No 173.
It was the first time Sinner, who claimed his first Grand Slam title when he defeated Daniil Medvedev at Melbourne Park last year, had conceded a set since October's Shanghai Masters.
Western Australian Schoolkate ended the streak inside 47 minutes by converting the only break point of the opening set to the delight of a partisan crowd inside a cool and breezy Rod Laver Arena.
Sinner continued to struggle to get a handle on Schoolkate's game early in the second set but a rasping crosscourt winner earned him a break for 4-3 and from then on the match was only going one way.
"It's always tough to play against someone I don't know very well. He was playing much better than I was at the beginning," said the Italian, 23, who is the youngest player to win nine successive men's singles matches at the Australian Open since Novak Djokovic between 2008 and 2009.
"I have to be very happy with my performance and never take things for granted. Very glad to be in the next round. I can improve, yes, but I'll take it."
Next up for Sinner as he looks to build on his hardcourt Grand Slam titles in Melbourne and New York last year is American world No 46 Marcos Giron.
Last year's runner-up Daniil Medvedev was dumped out in the second round early on Friday morning by 19-year-old qualifier Learner Tien in a massive Melbourne shock.
The American ranked 121 stunned the world No 5 6-3, 7-6, 6-7, 1-6, 7-6 in a nail-biter and faces France's Corentin Moutet in the next round in his debut Australian Open.
With the time ticking towards 3:00 am, the left-handed Californian Tien soaked up the applause at Margaret Court Arena after a match that lasted four hours and 48 minutes.
Teenage rising star Joao Fonseca said nerves got the better of him after being bundled out by Italian Lorenzo Sonego in a five-set thriller.
The highly rated Brazilian, 18, burst on the scene by stunning ninth seed Andrey Rublev in round one and looked on track for another upset when he won the first set.
But in a seesawing battle, the 55th-ranked Sonego clawed through 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 after three hours and 37 minutes of high-quality tennis.
The loss ended a 14-match win streak for Fonseca, who was making his Grand Slam debut in Melbourne and was tipped for the top by Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic this week.
"My first time playing five sets. I knew it was going to be a tough battle," he said.
"I didn't play my best today. I was a little bit nervous. Actually a lot nervous in the second and third set.
"But it was a great two months," he added. "I mean, doing 15 matches consecutively and then winning 14, it's amazing. Good start to the year.
"Now work more and more to be more prepared for those matches."
Sonego's reward in a clash against Hungary's Fabian Marozsan, who took down 17th seed Frances Tiafoe, also in five sets.
Home hope and eighth seed Alex de Minaur claimed a 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 win over American qualifier Tristan Boyer, while fourth seed Taylor Fritz needed just 82 minutes to beat Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin 6-2, 6-1, 6-0.
American Fritz also revealed he is donating his first-round prize money ($81,700) to help people affected by the California wildfires.
"I just want everyone to stay safe, it's just insane what happened," said Fritz, who used to live in Los Angeles and has family and friends affected.
"I wanted to say something after my first-round match but I'm going to be donating my first-round prize money to LA wildfire relief funds.
"It's really the least I could do. Southern California's my home and LA was my home for a very long time so I'm just doing what I can do to help. "
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More coverage from the Future Forum
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg
Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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
57%20Seconds
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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
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
