Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot against Quentin Halys of France during the 2023 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on January 05, 2023. Getty Images
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot against Quentin Halys of France during the 2023 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on January 05, 2023. Getty Images
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot against Quentin Halys of France during the 2023 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on January 05, 2023. Getty Images
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot against Quentin Halys of France during the 2023 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive on January 05, 2023. Getty Images

Novak Djokovic given scare in Adelaide before overcoming Quentin Halys


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Novak Djokovic battled back from 5-2 down in the first set to beat Quentin Halys 7-6, 7-6 and move into the Adelaide International quarter-finals on Thursday.

The 64th-ranked Halys has never beaten a top-10 opponent but gave Djokovic plenty of worrying moments before the Serb held his nerve to clinch the match in two tiebreakers.

Djokovic's win extended his winning streak in Australia to 31 matches in singles competition as he ramps up preparations for the Australian Open later this month, where he is seeking a record-extending 10th crown.

The 35-year-old Serb was unable to defend his title last year after he was deported on the eve of the tournament for not being vaccinated against Covid-19.

"It was a great performance from my opponent today. I want to congratulate him for great quality and a great fight. Tough luck but he played like a top-10 player today, no doubt," Djokovic, now ranked fifth in the world, said of Halys.

"As far as my game goes, I feel good on the court. I didn't have such a great start, I lost my serve early. He was serving really well, fast, big serves, hitting his spots in the box very well.

  • Novak Djokovic takes a selfie with fans after winning his first round match against France's Constant Lestienne at the ATP Adelaide International on January 3, 2023. AFP
    Novak Djokovic takes a selfie with fans after winning his first round match against France's Constant Lestienne at the ATP Adelaide International on January 3, 2023. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning his match against Constant Lestienne of France. Getty Images
    Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning his match against Constant Lestienne of France. Getty Images
  • Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic takes a selfie with fans after winning his first round match against France's Constant Lestienne at the ATP Adelaide International. AFP
    Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic takes a selfie with fans after winning his first round match against France's Constant Lestienne at the ATP Adelaide International. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic signs autographs. AFP
    Novak Djokovic signs autographs. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning his match against Constant Lestienne of France. Getty Images
    Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning his match against Constant Lestienne of France. Getty Images
  • Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the net with France's Constant Lestienne. AP Photo
    Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the net with France's Constant Lestienne. AP Photo
  • Serbia's Novak Djokovic signs autographs. AP Photo
    Serbia's Novak Djokovic signs autographs. AP Photo
  • Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a backhand return to France's Constant Lestienne. AP Photo
    Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a backhand return to France's Constant Lestienne. AP Photo
  • Supporters of Novak Djokovic hold up a Serbia flag. Getty Images
    Supporters of Novak Djokovic hold up a Serbia flag. Getty Images
  • Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic serves during his first round match against France's Constant Lestienne. AFP
    Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic serves during his first round match against France's Constant Lestienne. AFP

"Just difficult to play in this kind of court that is really fast. It kind of favours the server. If you're serving well, it's tough to break the serve of a big server like him, so two tiebreaks were probably the most realistic score."

Djokovic will next play Denis Shapovalov, who he has beaten in all seven of their meetings.

"Denis is one of the most complete players out there, he's got a very dynamic style of tennis, a big serve, comes to the net and comfortable playing from the back of the court," Djokovic added.

"He's a very great athlete, moves fantastically. We haven't played for a while so I'm looking forward to that. Every match now gets tougher, I'm going to be ready for that."

  • Serbia's Novak Djokovic, centre, poses for a selfie with a fan after his doubles match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Monday, January 2, 2023. AP Photo
    Serbia's Novak Djokovic, centre, poses for a selfie with a fan after his doubles match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Monday, January 2, 2023. AP Photo
  • Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie with a fan after his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil at the ATP Adelaide International. AFP
    Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie with a fan after his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil at the ATP Adelaide International. AFP
  • Serbia's Novak Djokovic with fans after losing his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters
    Serbia's Novak Djokovic with fans after losing his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters
  • Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Vasek Pospisil of Canada compete against against Tomislav Brkic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Gonzalo Escobar of Ecuador. Getty Images
    Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Vasek Pospisil of Canada compete against against Tomislav Brkic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Gonzalo Escobar of Ecuador. Getty Images
  • Novak Djokovic in action during his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters
    Novak Djokovic in action during his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters
  • A fan watches through a fence the first round doubles match between Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters
    A fan watches through a fence the first round doubles match between Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters
  • Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action. EPA
    Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action. EPA
  • Novak Djokovic of Serbia signs autographs for fans. EPA
    Novak Djokovic of Serbia signs autographs for fans. EPA
  • Fans watch Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters
    Fans watch Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters
  • Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic hits a return during his first round doubles match with Canadian Vasek Pospisil. AFP
    Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic hits a return during his first round doubles match with Canadian Vasek Pospisil. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic hits a return. AFP
    Novak Djokovic hits a return. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic reacts to winning a point. AFP
    Novak Djokovic reacts to winning a point. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil talk tactics. AFP
    Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil talk tactics. AFP
  • Novak Djokovic plays a return shot during his doubles match against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament. AP Photo
    Novak Djokovic plays a return shot during his doubles match against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament. AP Photo
  • Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie with a young fan. AP Photo
    Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie with a young fan. AP Photo
  • Fans of Novak Djokovic hold a sign during the doubles match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament. AP Photo
    Fans of Novak Djokovic hold a sign during the doubles match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament. AP Photo
  • Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his doubles match against Tomislav Brkic of Bosnia and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. AP Photo
    Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his doubles match against Tomislav Brkic of Bosnia and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. AP Photo
  • Canada's Vasek Pospisil and Serbia's Novak Djokovic talk tactics. AP Photo
    Canada's Vasek Pospisil and Serbia's Novak Djokovic talk tactics. AP Photo
  • Novak Djokovic plays a return shot. AP Photo
    Novak Djokovic plays a return shot. AP Photo
  • Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts with Canada's Vasek Pospisil. AP Photo
    Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts with Canada's Vasek Pospisil. AP Photo
How it works

Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Club : Liverpool   

 Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)  

 Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

 Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

 Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

 Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player:  Lucy Bronze

Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi

 Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

 Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)

 Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

The%20Roundup
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Lee%20Sang-yong%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Ma%20Dong-seok%2C%20Sukku%20Son%2C%20Choi%20Gwi-hwa%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Major honours

ARSENAL

  • FA Cup - 2005

BARCELONA

  • La Liga - 2013
  • Copa del Rey - 2012
  • Fifa Club World Cup - 2011

CHELSEA

  • Premier League - 2015, 2017
  • FA Cup - 2018
  • League Cup - 2015

SPAIN

  • World Cup - 2010
  • European Championship - 2008, 2012
The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make

When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.

“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.

This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).

Age

$250 a month

$500 a month

$1,000 a month

25

$640,829

$1,281,657

$2,563,315

35

$303,219

$606,439

$1,212,877

45

$131,596

$263,191

$526,382

55

$44,351

$88,702

$177,403

 

Non-oil%20trade
%3Cp%3ENon-oil%20trade%20between%20the%20UAE%20and%20Japan%20grew%20by%2034%20per%20cent%20over%20the%20past%20two%20years%2C%20according%20to%20data%20from%20the%20Federal%20Competitiveness%20and%20Statistics%20Centre.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIn%2010%20years%2C%20it%20has%20reached%20a%20total%20of%20Dh524.4%20billion.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ECars%20topped%20the%20list%20of%20the%20top%20five%20commodities%20re-exported%20to%20Japan%20in%202022%2C%20with%20a%20value%20of%20Dh1.3%20billion.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EJewellery%20and%20ornaments%20amounted%20to%20Dh150%20million%20while%20precious%20metal%20scraps%20amounted%20to%20Dh105%20million.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERaw%20aluminium%20was%20ranked%20first%20among%20the%20top%20five%20commodities%20exported%20to%20Japan.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETop%20of%20the%20list%20of%20commodities%20imported%20from%20Japan%20in%202022%20was%20cars%2C%20with%20a%20value%20of%20Dh20.08%20billion.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder

Transmission: six-speed manual

Power: 395bhp

Torque: 420Nm

Price: from Dh321,200

On sale: now

Analysis

Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more

The Bio

Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village

What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft

Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans

Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Brandt%20Andersen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Sy%2C%20Jason%20Beghe%2C%20Angeliki%20Papoulia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Mountain Classification Tour de France after Stage 8 on Saturday: 

  • 1. Lilian Calmejane (France / Direct Energie) 11
  • 2. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) 10
  • 3. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) 8
  • 4. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / LottoNL) 8
  • 5. Warren Barguil (France / Sunweb) 7
  • 6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 6
  • 7. Guillaume Martin (France / Wanty) 6
  • 8. Jan Bakelants (Belgium / AG2R) 5
  • 9. Serge Pauwels (Belgium / Dimension Data) 5
  • 10. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) 4
RESULTS
%3Cp%3E3.30pm%3A%20Al%20Maktoum%20Challenge%20Round%203%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(PA)%20%2475%2C000%20(Dirt)%202%2C000m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Jugurtha%20De%20Monlau%2C%20Pat%20Dobbs%20(jockey)%2C%20Jean-Claude%20Pecout%20(trainer)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.05pm%3A%20Dubai%20City%20Of%20Gold%20%E2%80%93%20Group%202%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C410m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Global%20Storm%2C%20William%20Buick%2C%20Charlie%20Appleby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.40pm%3A%20Burj%20Nahaar%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(D)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Discovery%20Island%2C%20James%20Doyle%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.15pm%3A%20Nad%20Al%20Sheba%20Turf%20Sprint%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Al%20Dasim%2C%20Mickael%20Barzalona%2C%20George%20Boughey%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E5.50pm%3A%20Al%20Bastakiya%20%E2%80%93%20Listed%20(TB)%20%24170%2C000%20(D)%201%2C900m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Go%20Soldier%20Go%2C%20Adrie%20de%20Vries%2C%20Fawzi%20Nass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E6.25pm%3A%20Al%20Maktoum%20Challenge%20Round%203%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(TB)%20%24450%2C000%20(D)%202%2C000m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Salute%20The%20Soldier%2C%20Adrie%20de%20Vries%2C%20Fawzi%20Nass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7.10pm%3A%20Ras%20Al%20Khor%20%E2%80%93%20Conditions%20(TB)%20%24300%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Al%20Suhail%2C%20William%20Buick%2C%20Charlie%20Appleby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E7.45pm%3A%20Jebel%20Hatta%20%E2%80%93%20Group%201%20(TB)%20%24350%2C000%20(T)%201%2C800m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Alfareeq%2C%20Dane%20O%E2%80%99Neill%2C%20Charlie%20Appleby%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E8.20pm%3A%20Mahab%20Al%20Shimaal%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(TB)%20%24250%2C000%20(D)%201%2C200m%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Sound%20Money%2C%20Mickael%20Barzalona%2C%20Bhupat%20Seemar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The Outsider

Stephen King, Penguin

The stats

Ship name: MSC Bellissima

Ship class: Meraviglia Class

Delivery date: February 27, 2019

Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT

Passenger capacity: 5,686

Crew members: 1,536

Number of cabins: 2,217

Length: 315.3 metres

Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)

Updated: January 05, 2023, 8:06 AM