Novak Djokovic rolled back the years on Tuesday when he produced a sensational performance to beat Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
The 37-year-old, aiming to win his 11th title in Melbourne, looked to be struggling with an injury problem after losing the first set to his Spanish opponent.
But Djokovic showed monumental effort and skill to fight back and secure a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory against the third seed, who is 16 years his junior.
It was a vintage 3 hrs 37 mins show on Rod Laver Arena that puts him into the last four at Melbourne Park for a 12th time, with only Roger Federer (15) doing so more often.
The win also extended his all-time record for most Grand Slam semi-final appearances to 50, four clear of the Swiss great.
The Serbian remains on course to break Margaret Court's overall record of 24 Grand Slam wins at the venue where he has enjoyed more major victories than any other.
But Djokovic admitted in his on-court interview after the match that his fitness is a concern.
“Since I'm still in the tournament, I obviously don't want to reveal too much,” he said about taking a medical timeout during his win.
“The medication started to kick in and it helped, no doubt about it. I had to take another dose – I mean this sounds awful that I had to take another one – but I had to.
“If I had lost that second set, I don't know if I would have continued playing but I felt better and better.
“I managed to play a great couple of games to close out the second set and then I saw Carlos was hesitant from the back of the court and I took my chances.
“Then I started to feel better, started to move better and it didn't bother me or create any hindrance at the end of the match.
“When the medication starts to wear off, I will see what the reality is tomorrow morning. Right now, I will just try to be in the moment and enjoy this victory.”
Next up for Djokovic will be second seed Alexander Zverev who reached the last-four the a second consecutive year with a four-set victory over American Tommy Paul.
Zverev beat the 12th-seed 7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1 as he looks to secure his first Grand Slam title.
The German will be playing in his ninth Slam semi-final but has yet to be crowned champion in a decade and trying.
“I'm going to prepare myself for a tough battle. I'm going to prepare myself for a very intense and high-level match,” said Zverev, who lost to Daniil Medvedev in five sets last year after holding a 2-0 lead.
“I know I have the level. I've beaten them before. Hopefully I can do that again in two days' time.
“You're not going to get to the semis of a Grand Slam by not deserving to be there and not playing great tennis.”
In the women's draw, two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka suffered a scare before overcoming Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.
Sabalenka had looked shaky early in her quest to become the first woman to complete a “three-peat” since Martina Hingis in 1999.
The Belarusian top seed had to manage gusty winds and a gutsy opponent to extend her Melbourne win streak to 19 matches.
“Honestly, I was just praying today,” she said. “I was just praying to put the ball back in these tough conditions.
“We both were just trying to put the ball back and it was very difficult to play against her.
“She played amazing tennis, she is very aggressive. I'm just super happy I managed to somehow magically win this match.
“It is good to have these tough battles to go through them and be tougher in the later stages of the tournament. I wish I had won this match in straight sets, but it is what it is.”
Sabalenka will face Paula Badosa for a place in the Melbourne final after the Spanish 11th seed stunned Coco Gauff in straight sets.
Badosa fell to the court in celebration after winning 7-5, 6-4, becoming the first Spanish woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Garbine Muguruza, also in Melbourne, in 2020.
It has been a remarkable comeback to tennis for the 27-year-old, who was ranked outside the top 100 a year ago after a stress fracture in her back.
“I mean, a year ago, I was here with my back that I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I'm here playing against the best in the world,” said Badosa.
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Ferrari
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Results
5pm: Warsan Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Dhaw Al Reef, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Al Quadra Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mrouwah Al Gharbia, Sando Paiva, Abubakar Daud
6pm: Hatta Lake – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Yatroq, George Buckell, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adries de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship – Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Zakher Lake – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Alfareeq, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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 currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ways to control drones
Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.
"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.
New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.
It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.
The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.
The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
