In the five years since Marat Safin secured an emotional and unexpected Australian Open triumph, only two of the 19 grand slams have failed to go the way of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - undisputedly the top two players of the current era.
Looking outside that dynamic duopoly for an alternative champion of Melbourne Park in two weeks' time is possibly a misguided venture but here we go.
Novak Djokovic, the unpredictable Serbian, is a course and distance winner, having captured a maiden major by deposing Federer on the way to a final victory over Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Juan Martin Del Potro, the formidably built Argentine, is the form horse having won the most recent grand slam by depriving Federer of a record-extending 16th at Flushing Meadows four months ago.
Andy Roddick, a revitalised American who came so agonisingly close to spoiling Federer's record-breaking big day at Wimbledon last summer, is another who knows what it takes to prosper in the big events, having tasted glory in his own New York back yard seven years ago and reached four other finals before losing to an in-form Federer on all those occasions.
Andy Murray, an outstanding British contender, is regarded as one who should have joined the grand slam winners' club by now, but has so far not been able to take that crucial extra step to graduate from major pretender to the real deal.
A 2008 US Open final defeat by Federer is the nearest the Scotsman has come to ending his frustrating spell of underachievement.
Nikolay Davydenko is a hard-working Russian who has held his place among the world's elite for several seasons without seriously threatening to snatch any of the top honours.
He can be justifiably added to that list of potential Melbourne champions on the strength of his encouraging success in the ATP's end-of-season Tour finals in London and this month's excellent performances in Doha when he beat Federer and Nadal on the way to the first important title of the year.
All five of those talented players have a genuine chance of upsetting the form book over the next fortnight.
However, the nagging feeling that remains is that there will be a repeat of last year's epic final, in which Nadal reduced Federer to a tearful wreck, for those who will fill the Rod Laver arena on Sunday week.
Federer has not looked his imperious best preparing for his latest grand slam challenge but similar observations have been made during the build-ups to several of the previous 15 majors that he has won. Nadal was well below his best in the latter half of last year as his baseline dominance was seriously undermined by chronic knee problems.
But the indications during his recent visit to the Middle East - victory in the exhibition Capitala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi preceding a Doha final which he had in his grasp before succumbing to a tenacious Davydenko - were that he is, for the time being at least, over his injuries.
An in-form and fully-fit Nadal has proved more than a match for Federer when it really matters.
That gripping five-set victory a year ago was the third time in four grand slam finals that the Spaniard had prevailed over the Swiss in a top-two showdown.
Nadal, who begins his challenge for a seventh grand slam title this evening against 78th-ranked local hope Peter Luczak, warned that he is not certain of his physical condition.
"I think I'm playing much better than what I did in the last four months," he said.
"I'm ready to play my best tennis, I think.
"But I don't know for sure. I don't consider myself favourite for this tournament."
The world No 2, who could meet Murray in the quarter-finals for the possible right to take on Del Potro in the last four, added yesterday that: "The only way to have confidence is through winning matches and winning important matches.
"I did that in Abu Dhabi and I did that in Doha. So I think now I'm really in the right way."
Federer, who has Djokovic in his half of the draw, insisted that the fulfilment of a lifetime's ambition - when he went past Pete Sampras's grand slam record at Wimbledon last year - and the birth of twin daughters shortly afterwards have not deflected him from his relentless pursuit of honours.
"The hunger is still there," he said.
"I'm working just as hard as before. I haven't been just baby sitting.
"I also like to go out in the morning and put in the big hours on the practice court.
"I feel my game is really were it is supposed to be."
So, despite making every effort to look beyond the best two players of the last decade, a 21st episode - and an eighth grand slam final - of a captivating personal rivalry is starting to take shape on the Melbourne horizon in the coming week.
@Email:wjohnson@thenational.ae
Abu Dhabi Sports 2, starting at 4am
Women's preview, and Order of play today
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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MATCH INFO
Maratha Arabians 107-8 (10 ovs)
Lyth 21, Lynn 20, McClenaghan 20 no
Qalandars 60-4 (10 ovs)
Malan 32 no, McClenaghan 2-9
Maratha Arabians win by 47 runs
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Shafaf, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Noof KB, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Mekhbat, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
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
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
KYLIAN MBAPPE 2016/17 STATS
Ligue 1: Appearances - 29, Goals - 15, Assists - 8
UCL: Appearances - 9, Goals - 6
French Cup: Appearances - 3, Goals - 3
France U19: Appearances - 5, Goals - 5, Assists - 1
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 2
Rashford 28', Martial 72'
Watford 1
Doucoure 90'
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
