Denis Shapovalov (CAN) v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x15)
Second on Margaret Court Arena, approximately 5.30am UAE time
One of the rising stars of men's tennis takes on one of its great entertainers. Two players who go for their shots, love hitting winners and excite the crowds. This is one to wake up early for. Shapovalov came out of nowhere in the second half of last season and is now one of the biggest prospects on the ATP Tour. Tsonga is one of the best players of his generation and a former finalist in Melbourne. Shapovalov won their only meeting, a straight sets masterclass at the US Open last season. Can the 18-year-old Canadian spring another mini-surprise?
Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) v Leonardo Mayer (ARG)
Third on Rod Laver Arena, approximately 7am UAE time
Top seed Nadal was in scintillating form in the opening round, brushing aside any doubts about his fitness. Next up for last year's finalist is Argentine Mayer, who himself was impressive in his own straight sets win in the first round. Nadal, the 2008 Australian Open champion, has won each of their four encounters and will start this match the overwhelming favourite. However, he will face more resistance than he did against Victor Estrella-Burgos in the first round.
Nick Kyrgios (AUS x17) v Viktor Troicki (SRB)
First on Hisense Arena night session, play starts at 11.45am
As the highest-ranked Australian, Kyrgios carries the hopes of the home nation. In Troicki he meets a former world No 12 who has the ability to cause him problems. Kyrgios was untroubled in their only previous meeting, dropping just three games at the Canada Masters last season, and the world No 17 should send the fans home happy with a win. However, in a match-up between two temperamental players, anything could happen.
Elina Svitolina (UKR x4) v Katerina Siniakova (CZE)
First on Rod Laver Arena, play starts at 4am
At first glance, this should be a straightforward outing for world No 4 Svitolina, but the impressive form of Siniakova in the lead-up makes her a dangerous opponent. The world No 59 from the Czech Republic reached the Shenzhen Open final, defeating Maria Sharapova and Karolina Pliskova en route and certainly has the game to disrupt Svitolina. The Ukrainian is in fine form herself, though, and is one of the favourites for the title. Svitolina will be tested but should emerge victorious. They have met once before, with Svitolina winning over three sets at the 2017 US Open.
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x7) v Ying Ying Duan (CHN)
Third match on Margaret Court Arena, approximately 7.30-8am
It's been a below-par start to the season for French Open champion Ostapenko, but a comprehensive win over veteran Francesca Schiavone in the first round was a timely reminder of her ability. Next up for the Latvian is the world No 100 Duan from China who produced one of the most ruthless displays of the first round in beating Mariana Duque-Marino. Ostapenko will be confident of her chances, but Duan will enter this contest high in confidence. Should make for great viewing.
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
Results
2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili
3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly
Results
5pm: Warsan Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Dhaw Al Reef, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Al Quadra Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mrouwah Al Gharbia, Sando Paiva, Abubakar Daud
6pm: Hatta Lake – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Yatroq, George Buckell, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adries de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship – Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Zakher Lake – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Alfareeq, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Sanju
Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani
Rating: 3.5 stars
