Despite leading 2-0 in the fifth set, Rafael Nadal lost the next six games to crash out of the Australian Open. Thomas Peter / Reuters
Despite leading 2-0 in the fifth set, Rafael Nadal lost the next six games to crash out of the Australian Open. Thomas Peter / Reuters
Despite leading 2-0 in the fifth set, Rafael Nadal lost the next six games to crash out of the Australian Open. Thomas Peter / Reuters
Despite leading 2-0 in the fifth set, Rafael Nadal lost the next six games to crash out of the Australian Open. Thomas Peter / Reuters

Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep upset in opening round – Australian Open Day 2 updates


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Updates and match reports throughout Day 2 of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep were sent crashing out of the Australian Open first round on Tuesday as a dramatic day of upsets shifted the landscape of the year’s first Grand Slam.

Nadal suffered one of the worst Grand Slam results of his career as he was stunned by fellow Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco in a five-set thriller which recalled their epic 2009 semi-final.

Halep, the women’s world No 2, soon followed him out in an almighty upset by Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai -- who wept freely as she won her first Grand Slam match in 15 attempts.

Scroll down to see full results

While Halep’s defeat to Zhang, the world number 133, came out of the blue, it was Nadal’s loss which created concern as the 14-time Grand Slam-winner increasingly looks a fading force.

Nadal, 29, has only ever lost once before in a Grand Slam first round, at Wimbledon 2013, but he has not gone further than the quarter-finals at the majors since he won the 2014 French Open.

“It’s tough, but at the same time, I know I did everything that I can to be ready for it,” said Nadal, after 45th-ranked Verdasco’s 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 win in four hours, 41 minutes.

“Was not my day. Let’s keep going. That’s the only thing. There is no more thing to do than keep practising hard, keep practising the same way that I was doing the last four, five months.”

The big upsets at least drew attention away from a match-fixing controversy which hit the start of the tournament after a report said top players had been under suspicion but never punished.

Andy Murray, a four-time finalist who is seeking his first win in Melbourne, dispatched Germany’s Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in hot conditions to move into the second round.

Afterwards the world number two, who is awaiting the imminent birth of his first child and has pledged to race home if his wife goes into labour, immediately checked his phone for news.

“I’m hoping my phone hasn’t been buzzing in my bag. Kim will message my team if anything goes on and we’ll see what happens,” he said.

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Rising star Garbine Muguruza beat Estonian debutante Anett Kontaveit 6-0, 6-4 in one hour exactly -- and immediately set her sights on dethroning Serena Williams in the final.

“To win the Grand Slam here you are going to have to beat Serena (Williams). It will be great if I can play against her,” said the confident Spanish world number three.

Temperatures of 33 Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) took their toll and Diego Schwartzman was stretchered off after retiring in the fourth set against John Millman with cramps.

While Murray and Muguruza motored through, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams suffered an early exit when she lost to British number one Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2.

Williams, 35, was the oldest player in the women’s draw but Konta said it would be “silly” to focus on the American’s age.

“I think it would be silly to look at Venus’ age and somehow consider that as a reflection of her level,” said the 24-year-old.

“I think it’s irrelevant how old she is because she’s such a champion with so much experience and so much knowledge about the game.”

Photo gallery: Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep among first-round casualties

Milos Raonic, who is now working with Carlos Moya and beat Roger Federer in this month’s Brisbane final, breezed past Lucas Pouille and into the second round.

But it was a different story for Gilles Muller, who came through four tie-breaks to beat Fabio Fognini, but not before the Italian showed flashes of his famous temper.

Jeremy Chardy had an even bigger struggle, winning the fifth-set 13-11 to finally overcome Ernests Gulbis after four hours and 43 minutes.

In the evening matches, former champion Stan Wawrinka advanced to the second round after his Russian opponent Dmitry Tursunov retired with an injury.

The Swiss fourth seed was leading 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 when Tursunov called it quits at the start of the third set.

Retiring Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt beat compatriot James Duckworth in his opening round match of his farewell Australian Open.

The two-time major winner and former world No 1 overcame Duckworth 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 6-4 and will next face Spanish eighth seed David Ferrer.

Australian Open resaults from Day 2 (Wednesday)

Men

Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2

Dudi Sela (ISR) bt Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-1, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2

Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) bt Ryan Harrison (USA) 7-5, 6-4, 6-4

Jeremy Chardy (FRA x30) bt Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 7-5, 2-6, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 13-11

Gael Monfils (FRA x23) bt Yuichi Sugita (JPN) 6-1, 6-3, 6-2

Nicolas Mahut (FRA) bt Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2

Stephane Robert (FRA) bt Bjorn Fratangelo (USA) 6-2, 6-2, 6-2

Rajeev Ram (USA) bt Kevin Anderson (RSA x11) 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 3-0 abandon

Milos Raonic (CAN x13) bt Lucas Pouille (FRA) 6-1, 6-4, 6-4

Tommy Robredo (ESP) bt Malek Jaziri (TUN) 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 8-6

Tim Smyczek (USA) bt Daniel Gimeno (ESP) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

Jack Sock (USA x25) bt Taylor Fritz (USA) 6-4, 3-6, 0-6, 6-3, 6-4

Radek Stepanek (CZE) bt Tatsuma Ito (JPN) 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2

David Ferrer (ESP) bt Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2

Thomaz Belluci (BRA) bt Jordan Thompson (AUS) 6-2, 6-3, 6-2

Steve Johnson (USA x31) bt Aljaz Bedene (GBR) 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3)

Feliciano Lopez (ESP x18) bt Daniel Evans (GBR) 6-1, 6-0, 6-4

Guido Pella (ARG) bt Steve Darcis (BEL) 2-6, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-1

Marcel Granollers (ESP) bt Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4

John Isner (USA x10) bt Jerzy Janowicz (POL) 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3

Bernard Tomic (AUS x16) bt Denis Istomin (UZB) 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-4

Simone Bolelli (ITA) bt Brian Baker (USA) 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/5)

John Millman (AUS) bt Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 3-6, 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 5-0 abandon

Gilles Muller (LUX) bt Fabio Fognini (ITA x20) 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (9/7), 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/1)

Joao Sousa (POR x32) bt Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3

Santiago Giraldo (COL) bt Donald Young (USA) 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2

Sam Groth (AUS) bt Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3

Andy Murray (GBR x2) bt Alexander Zverev (GER) 6-1, 6-2, 6-3

Women

Angelique Kerber (GER x7) bt Misaki Doi (JPN) 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (8/6), 6-3

Alexandra Dulgheru (ROM) bt Storm Sanders (AUS) 6-4, 6-2

Madison Brengle (USA) bt Coco Vandeweghe (USA) 6-3, 6-4

Johanna Larsson (SWE) bt Irina Begu (ROM x29) 6-3, 6-2

Jelena Jankovic (SRB x19) bt Polona Hercog (SLO) 6-3, 6-3

Laura Siegemund (GER) bt Kiki Bertens (NED) 6-4, 7-5

Annika Beck (GER) bt Priscilla Hon (AUS) 6-0, 6-3

Timea Bacsinszky (SWI x11) bt Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 6-3, 7-5

Danka Kovinic (MNE) bt Samantha Crawford (USA) 6-2, 6-4

Naomi Osaka (JPN) bt Donna Vekic (CRO) 6-3, 6-2

Elina Svitolina (UKR x18) bt Victoria Duval (USA) 6-2, 6-3

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) bt Caroline Garcia (FRA x32) 6-2, 6-4

Vania King (USA) bt Mona Barthel (GER) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4

Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) bt Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) 5-7, 6-2, 7-5

Garbine Muguruza (ESP x3) bt Anett Kontaveit (EST) 6-0, 6-4

Johanna Konta (GBR) bt Venus Williams (USA x8) 6-4, 6-2

Zheng Saisai (CHN) bt Carina Witthoeft (GER) 6-1, 6-2

Denisa Allertova (CZE) bt Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3

Sabine Lisicki (GER x30) bt Petra Cetkovska (CZE) 6-4, 6-4

Ekaterina Makarova (RUS x21) bt Maddison Inglis (AUS) 6-3, 6-0

Tatjana Malek (GER) bt Olga Govortsova (BLR) 6-4, 6-3

Julia Gorges (GER) bt Andreea Mitu (ROM) 6-3, 6-4

Karolina Pliskova (CZE x9) bt Kimberly Birrell (AUS) 6-4, 6-4

Madison Keys (USA x15) bt Zarina Diyas (KAZ) 7-6 (7/5), 6-1

Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) bt Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 6-4, 6-4

Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) bt Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) 6-0, 4-2 abandon

Ana Ivanovic (SRB x20) bt Tammi Patterson (AUS) 6-2, 6-3

Varvara Lepchenko (USA) bt Lesya Tsurenko (UKR) 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3

Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) bt Maryna Zanevska (UKR) 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-3

Alize Cornet (FRA) bt Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 6-1, 6-0

Zhang Shuai (CHN) bt Simona Halep (ROM x2) 6-4, 6-3

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A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

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Maratha Arabians 138-2

C Lynn 91*, A Lyth 20, B Laughlin 1-15

Team Abu Dhabi 114-3

L Wright 40*, L Malinga 0-13, M McClenaghan 1-17

Maratha Arabians won by 24 runs

Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk

“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”

“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”

“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”

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Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Quarter-finals

Saturday (all times UAE)

England v Australia, 11.15am 
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm

Sunday

Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm

Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

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More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

Five personal finance podcasts from The National

 

To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes 

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What drives subscription retailing?

Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.

The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.

The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.

The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.

UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.

That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.

Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.

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Crops that could be introduced to the UAE

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Generational responses to the pandemic

Devesh Mamtani from Century Financial believes the cash-hoarding tendency of each generation is influenced by what stage of the employment cycle they are in. He offers the following insights:

Baby boomers (those born before 1964): Owing to market uncertainty and the need to survive amid competition, many in this generation are looking for options to hoard more cash and increase their overall savings/investments towards risk-free assets.

Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980): Gen X is currently in its prime working years. With their personal and family finances taking a hit, Generation X is looking at multiple options, including taking out short-term loan facilities with competitive interest rates instead of dipping into their savings account.

Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996): This market situation is giving them a valuable lesson about investing early. Many millennials who had previously not saved or invested are looking to start doing so now.

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Founder: Omar Onsi

Launched: 2018

Employees: 35

Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)

Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners

'Champions'

Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
 

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