CiINCINNATI, OHIO // A big puff of pizzazz seeped out of the Cincinnati Open as its top seed Caroline Wozniacki slipped out and star attraction Serena Williams quit the tournament, along with third seed Victoria Azarenka.
Fans and organisers were left deflated with 13-times grand slam winner Williams and third seed Azarenka both having been scheduled to play on Centre Court as part of a busy schedule alongside the ATP men's event.
Williams pulled out citing a right toe injury — but also noting her need to get some rest before the US Open.
"I don't think this is a good time for me to take a big chance. I just don't think that would be smart," said the American Williams.
Azarenka then withdrew due to a right hand injury which she did not want to risk just two weeks from the final grand slam event of the year in New York.
"It's impossible to play for me. I was waiting until the last moment to be 100 per cent sure that I cannot compete," said the Belarusian.
"It's important also prior to the US Open. It just doesn't make any sense to make it worse," she said.
Those fans of the women's game who did manage to see one of the favourites witnessed an upset with Wozniacki looking well below her best against the 19-year-old American Christine McHale.
With golf sensation and friend Rory McIlroy in attendance, the Danish top seed never looked close to her best as she fell 6-4, 7-5 to the 76th ranked McHale.
The defeat was the first time Wozniacki lost to an opponent outside the top 75 since 2009 and extends a worrying spell of form for the Dane.
Wozniacki, who suffered early round exits in her last two tournaments, handed victory to McHale with an awfully-timed stroke which looped way over the baseline.
The 21-year-old heads to the US Open later this month in search of her first grand slam title.
Serbian Ana Ivanovic's disappointing season continued with a 6-3, 7-6 loss to Russia's Nadia Petrova, but another Serbian former No 1, Jelena Jankovic enjoyed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over China's Zheng Jie.
Germany's Andrea Petkovic advanced with a 6-2, 6-4 win against Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson.
Vera Zvonareva eased past fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-0.
Svetlana Kuznetsova and Shuai Peng were the other seeded players to make it through. Daniela Hantuchova and Shahar Peer also progressed with straight sets victories over Flavia Pennetta and Pauline Parmentier, respectively.
The top players in the men's draw had an easier time of things, No 1 seed Novak Djokovic easing past second-round opponent Ryan Harrison 6-2, 6-4 and No 2 Rafael Nadal also easing to a 6-4, 7-5 win over Julien Benneteau to help erase memories of his shock loss to Ivan Dodig in Montreal last week.
Fourth seed Andy Murray recorded his first win since Wimbledon with a 6-1, 6-4 defeat of an off-colour David Nalbandian, while fifth seed David Ferrer was taken to three sets before seeing off Grigor Dimitrov 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.
Dodig was forced to retire when he trailed 4-6, 6-3, 4-0 to sixth seed Gael Monfils, while other seeded winners included Mardy Fish, Richard Gasquet and Nicolas Almagro.
Qualifier Radek Stepanek continued his fine recent form by beating Andrey Golubev in straight sets and there were also wins for Philipp Kohlschreiber, Alex Bogomolov Jr and Fernando Verdasco.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
