The National's Ahmed Rizvi and Jon Turner are at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to bring you live reports from the ATP tournament action. Check back for up-to-the-minute updates.
Wawrinka d Stakhovsky 5-7, 6-3, 7-5
Stan Wawrinka, the No 2 seed, survived a first-round scare on Tuesday, fighting back from a set down to defeat Sergiy Stakhovsky 5-7, 6-3, 7-5.
Wawrinka broke for a 5-3 lead and should have wrapped up the first set on his serve, but the Swiss dropped his serve and Stakhovsky broke him for a second time to serve out for the set.
Broken in the opening game of the second set, Wawrinka, down 3-1, won the final five games to force the match into a deciding set.
Stakhovsky, ranked No 92 in the world, went toe-to-toe with the two-time grand slam champion in the third set, usually leaving Wawrinka stranded with his net play. A string of errors in the 11th game, however, allowed to the Swiss to break for a 6-5 lead before serving out for the match at love.
Wawrinka will now meet Croatian qualifier Franko Skugor in Wednesday’s second round.
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
SINGLES
2-Stan Wawrinka (SUI) beat Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) 5-7, 6-3, 7-5
7-Martin Klizan (SVK) vs Nick Kyrgios (AUS)
4-Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs Simone Bolelli (ITA) 6-2, 6-4
3-Tomas Berdych (CZE) beat Joao Sousa (POR) 6-1, 6-4
8-Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) beat Marsel Ilan (WC, TUR) 6-1, 7-5
Borna Coric (CRO) beat Jiri Vesely (CZE) 6-4, 6-4
Thomas Fabiano (Q, ITA) beat Leonado Mayer (ARG) 6-3, 6-4
Franko Skugor (Q, CRO) beat Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 6-2, 6-3
Lukas Rosol (CZE) beat Yuki Bhambri (WC, IND) 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-0
Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) beat Denis Istomin (UZB) 7-5, 7-6(3)
DOUBLES
Feliciano Lopez (ESP) / Marc Lopez (ESP) beat Dominic Inglot (GBR) / Robert Lindstedt (SWE) 7-6(3), 6-3
Hyeon Chung (KOR) / Jiri Vesely (CZE) beat Vasek Pospisil (CAB) / Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) 6-4, 6-4
Simone Bolelli (ITA) / Andreas Seppi (ITA) beat Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) / Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK) 6-4, 6-2
Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) / Horia Tecau (ROU) beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) / Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-2, 7-5
Rosol d Bhambri 2-6, 7-6, 6-0
Lukas Rosol began his sixth Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships with a tense come-from-behind win against Indian wild-card Yuki Bhambri.
Rosol, the world No 51, was in serious danger of a first-round elimination, and after losing the opening set 6-2, the Czech found himself down 3-1 in the second. Serving to stay in the match at 5-6, Rosol was 0-40 down but saved all three match points to force the tie-break. After winning the tie-break 7-2, Rosol stormed through the deciding set 6-0 in just 21 minutes.
Rosol will take on Spain’s Feliciano Lopez in the second round after the No 6 seed defeated compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on Monday.
Berdych d Joao Sousa 6-1, 6-4
Tomas Berdych, the No 3 seed, is safely through to the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships after a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Portugal’s Joao Sousa.
Berdych, 30, is twice a losing finalist in Dubai, and unsurprisingly the Czech looked very much at home on Centre Court as he raced into a one-set lead in just 23 minutes.
The second set proved a more competitive affair, and after Berdych broke for a 3-2 lead, Sousa immediately claimed a break of his own. However, Berdych responded with another break for a 4-3 lead, and after exchanges of serve, closed the match out with a thunderous ace.
Berdych will face qualifier Thomas Fabbiano in the second round after the Italian stunned Argentine Leonardo Mayer earlier in the day.
Franko Skugor upsets Tymuraz Gabashvili
Over on Court 2, another qualifier produced a shock result as world No 139 Franko Skugor from Croatia defeated Russia’s world No 47 Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-2, 6-3.
Skugor will face either No 2 seed Stan Wawrinka or Ukraine’s Sergei Stakhovsky in the next round.
There was not such surprise on Court 1 as No 8 seed Philipp Kohlschreiber successfully navigated his way past wild-card Marsel Ilhan 6-1, 7-5 in one hour and 27 minutes.
Germany’s Kohlschreiber will take on Croatia’s Borna Coric for a place in the quarter-finals.
Borna Coric through with 6-4, 6-4 win over Jiri Vesely
Rising Croatian star Borna Coric is through to the second round with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic.
Coric, 19, was up 5-2 in the first set after breaking Vesely twice, but failed to serve out for the set on first attempt. He got the job done on second attempt, wrapping up the set in 43 minutes.
In the second set, the highly-rated teenager — who has already beaten the likes of Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal and is being billed as Novak Djokovic’s successor — broke in the third game and then served three break points on his own serve to take a 3-1 lead and that was enough to seal the fate of the match.
Roberto Bautista Agut d. Simone Bolelli 6-2, 6-4
Roberto Bautista Agut, the No 4 seed, made short work of Simone Bolelli, defeating the Italian 6-2, 6-4 in an hour and 25 minutes in the day’s opening match on Centre Court to book his place in the second round.
Bautista Agut, the winner in Auckland and Sofia this year, broke Bolelli twice at the start of the match for a 4-0 lead and then closed out the first set in 32 minutes. The world No 18 then broke in the seventh game to inch ahead in the second set and served out for his place in the second round, where he meets promising South Korean teenager Hyeon Chung, who defeated Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-4 on Monday.
On Court Three, Italian qualifier Thomas Fabbiano, ranked No 144 in the world, stunned Argentine Leonardo Mayer, the world No 40, 6-3, 6-4 to book his place in the second round.
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Match of the day
Martin Klizan (SVK) v Nick Kyrgios (AUS)
On paper, the most even match-up of the first round. Only eight places separate Klizan (No 25) and Kyrgios (No 33) in the world rankings and both players have enjoyed title-winning starts to the season.
Klizan, 26, triumphed in Rotterdam last week, while Kyrgios, 20, picked up the first ATP title of his young career in Marseille on Sunday.
It should be an interesting clash of styles as Klizan’s dependable all-round game takes on the fireworks of Kyrgios.
The Australian is slight favourite, although possible weariness from the quick turnaround from France could play a part.
Order of play
CENTRE COURT
From 2pm:
4-Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs Simone Bolelli (ITA)
3-Tomas Berdych (CZE) vs Joao Sousa (POR)
From 7pm:
2-Stan Wawrinka (SUI) vs Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR)
7-Martin Klizan (SVK) vs Nick Kyrgios (AUS)
COURT ONE
From 2pm:
Borna Coric (CRO) vs Jiri Vesely (CZE)
8-Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) vs Marsel Ilan (WC, TUR)
Not before 4:45pm:
Mahesh Bhupathi (IND) / Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi (PAK) vs Simone Bolelli (ITA) / Andreas Seppi (ITA)
Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) vs Denis Istomin (UZB)
COURT TWO
From 2pm:
Thomas Fabiano (Q, ITA) vs Leonado Mayer (ARG)
Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) vs Franko Skugor (Q, CRO)
Vasek Pospisil (CAB) / Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) vs Hyeon Chung (KOR) / Jiri Vesely (CZE)
COURT THREE
From 2pm:
Dominic Inglot (GBR) / Robert Lindstedt (SWE) vs Feliciano Lopez (ESP) / Marc Lopez (ESP)
Yuki Bhambri (WC, IND) vs Lukas Rosol (CZE)
Not before 4pm:
Jean-Julien Rojer (NED) / Horia Tecau (ROU) vs Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) / Viktor Troicki (SRB)
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Last-16
France 4
Griezmann (13' pen), Pavard (57'), Mbappe (64', 68')
Argentina 3
Di Maria (41'), Mercado (48'), Aguero (90 3')
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
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
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group F
Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450
Price, base / as tested Dh525,000 / Dh559,000
Engine: 3.0L V6 biturbo
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 369hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm at 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.0L / 100km
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
RESULTS
Men
1 Marius Kipserem (KEN) 2:04:04
2 Abraham Kiptum (KEN) 2:04:16
3 Dejene Debela Gonfra (ETH) 2:07:06
4 Thomas Rono (KEN) 2:07:12
5 Stanley Biwott (KEN) 2:09:18
Women
1 Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) 2:20:16
2 Eunice Chumba (BRN) 2:20:54
3 Gelete Burka (ETH) 2:24:07
4 Chaltu Tafa (ETH) 2:25:09
5 Caroline Kilel (KEN) 2:29:14
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%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E6-cylinder%2C%204.8-litre%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5-speed%20automatic%20and%20manual%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E280%20brake%20horsepower%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E451Nm%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh153%2C00%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
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6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The years Ramadan fell in May
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELeap%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ziad%20Toqan%20and%20Jamil%20Khammu%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
New schools in Dubai
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
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
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