Andy Murray, the world No 1, will open his campaign against Tunisian world No 47 Malek Jaziri, while the tournament’s most decorated champion, seven-time winner Roger Federer — drawn in the same half as Murray — will take on Frenchman Benoit Paire in the opening round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
In the lower half, Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 champion and No 2 seed, will start his defence against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, while the fourth seed Gael Monfils takes on Egyptian wild card Mohamed Safwat. Two-time finalist Tomas Berdych, who is returning to Dubai for the 11th time, has also been drawn in the lower half and will meet a qualifier in his opening match.
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Read more
■ Five to watch: Who are the favourites in Dubai?
■ Federer: A look back at past Dubai triumphs
■ Women's side: Svitolina, Wozniacki to meet in the final
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This is the 25th iteration of the ATP Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and tournament’s honours roll boasts names like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Goran Ivanisevic, Thomas Muster, Andy Roddick and Wawrinka. Players like Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Pat Cash, Jim Courier, Stefan Edberg, Carlos Moya, Gustavo Kuerten and Marcelo Rios have also played here, but failed to get their hands on the winner’s trophy.
“I love the fact that there are so many great restaurants here, great shopping and I find the people really friendly all the time,” said Murray, who will be making his sixth appearance in Dubai this week, his best result being the 2012 final when he lost to Federer. “The hotel here is unbelievably close to the courts — you can just walk out of the hotel to play your matches, practise or go to the gym. I love being here.”
“I’m looking forward to playing, especially on the anniversary of 25 years here in Dubai,” said Federer, who has missed the Dubai tournament only three times since his debut here in 2002. “It’s nice to be part of a tournament celebrating something. I’ve had some great years here in Dubai, I wanted to be in good shape and ready for the conditions so I came early this year.”
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
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
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
SHAITTAN
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
