Former US Open champions Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu bowed out of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Tuesday.
Both exited in straight sets; Gauff lost to fellow American McCartney Kessler, who scored her first victory over a top-10 opponent, while Briton Raducanu fell to 14th seed Karolina Muchova.
Raducanu, 22, fought back from a dreadful start to take the first set to a tie-break, but ultimately went down 7-6, 6-4 to miss out on a last-16 clash with Kessler.
Raducanu, who appeared to be in tears as she went to the umpire’s chair after the second game, suffered a nightmare opening to a rain-delayed encounter, losing both of her service games as she fell 4-0 behind.
However, she broke back in the fifth courtesy of a stunning backhand return down the line before holding serve for the first time, and she was right back in it when she broke for a second time in the ninth game to trail only 5-4.
The Briton saved two set points to take it to a tie-break but it was her 28-year-old Czech opponent who eventually prevailed 8-6.
Raducanu’s disappointment was compounded when she was broken again in the first game of the second set and after failing to convert any of the three break points she earned in the sixth game, it was Muchova who edged across the line 6-4.
Kessler, 25, sprang a surprise when she took the first set against Gauff 6-4 and broke in the first game of the second to pile on the pressure.
The second set proved equally tight, but Gauff was ultimately unable to turn it around as she went down 6-4 7-5.
There were no such problems for world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who dispensed with Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-4.
The rain also meant Italian fourth seed Jasmine Paolini had to wait nearly five hours on match point against Germany’s Eva Lys.
The players went off at 2.15pm and it was approaching 7pm when they finally returned.
Just nine shots later Paolini had completed a 6-2, 7-5 victory.
World No 2 Iga Swiatek did not waste any time when her match eventually got going, dismantling Victoria Azarenka 6-0, 6-2.
Elsewhere, 11th seed Diana Shnaider lost in three sets to Linda Noskova, while there were wins for Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Paula Badosa, Dayana Yastremska, Sofia Kenin and Clara Tauson.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
More on animal trafficking
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
More on Quran memorisation:
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
