John Isner's best run at the US Open was a quarter-final spot in 2011. Reuters
John Isner's best run at the US Open was a quarter-final spot in 2011. Reuters
John Isner's best run at the US Open was a quarter-final spot in 2011. Reuters
John Isner's best run at the US Open was a quarter-final spot in 2011. Reuters

That losing feeling: John Isner leads list of American men looking to end 15-year US Open drought


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It was the year of the US-led invasion of Iraq and the deaths of Johnny Cash, Katherine Hepburn and Bob Hope.

Chicago scooped the Oscar for best movie while an unknown teenage footballer by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo made his Manchester United debut.

It was 2003 and it was also the last time an American man won the US Open singles title.

That honour belonged to the now-retired Andy Roddick but, from Monday, the likes of John Isner, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey and Frances Tiafoe will try to end the longest drought for American men at their home grand slam.

Such an absence of New York success was once unthinkable.

Arthur Ashe won the title in 1968, the first of the Open era in the city and that sparked a regular stream of homegrown champions.

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Comment: Serena Williams will have tough task in dethroning Simona Halep as the queen of tennis

Graham Caygill: Caroline Wozniacki's victory brings excitement to women's tennis

Graham Caygill: Timing of Roger Federer return may help fuel strong US Open run

Jon Turner: Andy Murray takes a big step forward in his long road of recovery

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From Ashe and Stan Smith in 1971 to Roddick in 2003, the US Open trophy was lifted by a home player on 19 occasions.

Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras were five-time champions while John McEnroe, playing in his home city, claimed four titles.

Andre Agassi was victorious twice.

Agassi was to be runner-up in 2005 and Roddick too in the following year - both men losing to Roger Federer.

Federer an 'alien'

Federer, who won the last of his US Opens in 2008, will still be amongst the favourites this year at the grand old age of 37.

Despite being responsible for so much home heartbreak, the Swiss veteran now serves as a blueprint for American hopes, led this year by world No 11 John Isner.

"Roger Federer, he's alien, different than anyone else," said 33-year-old Isner.

"But seeing him have some success at 34, 35, 36 years old, that's a very encouraging sign."

Roger Federer, seen here beating Feliciano Lopez at the 2017 US Open, last won the final grand slam of the season in 2008. Reuters
Roger Federer, seen here beating Feliciano Lopez at the 2017 US Open, last won the final grand slam of the season in 2008. Reuters

Isner's best run at the US Open was a quarter-final spot in 2011 but he enjoyed his most successful slam of his career just last month, making the semi-finals of Wimbledon.

His five-set loss - with a 26-24 decider - against Kevin Anderson was the second longest slam singles match ever played, a gruelling six hours and 36 minutes.

"There will come a time where Father Time is probably going to get the best of me. As of right now, I don't think it's there yet," added Isner, whose summer form since Wimbledon has been mixed.

A hard-court title in Atlanta was followed by opening losses at Washington and Toronto.

"I haven't done really that well at the US Open," admitted Isner, who will become a father for the first time last September.

"I've always been solid. It's a tournament that I think is tailor-made for me."

Isner, like his compatriots, has had the misfortune of trying to win a slam in the era of the "Big Four" of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Since Roddick's title in 2003, every final in New York with the exception of 2014, has featured at least one of the four modern heavyweights.

With 18th-ranked Sock without a win to his name since Rome in May, home hopes will be further pinned on world No 35 Sam Querrey and Frances Tiafoe, ranked 42.

Querrey was a quarter-finalist last year just after making the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

But the 30 year old has just three wins on hard courts all summer.

Tiafoe, only 20, has endured three first-round losses at the US Open but pushed Federer to five sets in 2017.

His disappointment was alleviated by seeing the 20-time major winner up close.

"Go down the list. I mean, can't read his serve. Jumps on the return ball better than anyone. Doesn't give the baseline up," Tiafoe said.

"He takes time away. Best mover, by far. Yeah, just sees the game completely different than everybody else. He's unbelievable."

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Asia Cup Qualifier

Venue: Kuala Lumpur

Result: Winners play at Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in September

Fixtures:

Wed Aug 29: Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore

Thu Aug 30: UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman

Sat Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal

Sun Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore

Tue Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu Sep 6: Final

 

Asia Cup

Venue: Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Schedule: Sep 15-28

Teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus the winner of the Qualifier

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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

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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Transmission: Eight-speed auto

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Gremio 1 Pachuca 0

Gremio Everton 95’

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

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UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

if you go

The flights
Fly direct to Kutaisi with Flydubai from Dh925 return, including taxes. The flight takes 3.5 hours. From there, Svaneti is a four-hour drive. The driving time from Tbilisi is eight hours.
The trip
The cost of the Svaneti trip is US$2,000 (Dh7,345) for 10 days, including food, guiding, accommodation and transfers from and to ­Tbilisi or Kutaisi. This summer the TCT is also offering a 5-day hike in Armenia for $1,200 (Dh4,407) per person. For further information, visit www.transcaucasiantrail.org/en/hike/

Duminy's Test career in numbers

Tests 46; Runs 2,103; Best 166; Average 32.85; 100s 6; 50s 8; Wickets 42; Best 4-47

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE CARD

The line-up as it stands for the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on April 27

50-man Royal Rumble

Universal Championship
Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns

Casket match
The Undertaker v Rusev

Intercontinental Championship
Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

SmackDown Tag Team Championship
The Bludgeon Brothers v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship
Sheamus and Cesaro v Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy

United States Championship
Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

Singles match
Triple H v John Cena

To be confirmed
AJ Styles will defend his WWE World Heavyweight title and Cedric Alexander his Cruiserweight Championship, but matches have yet to be announced

Marathon results

Men:

 1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13 

2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50 

3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25 

4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46 

5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48  

Women:

1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30 

2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01 

3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30 

4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43 

5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01  

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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Price: From Dh117,059

THE LOWDOWN

Romeo Akbar Walter

Rating: 2/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Robby Grewal
Cast: John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher 

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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 325bhp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh359,000

On sale: now 

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group B

Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Eriksen 80')
Inter Milan 0

UFC Fight Night 2

1am – Early prelims

2am – Prelims

4am-7am – Main card

7:30am-9am – press cons

Like a Fading Shadow

Antonio Muñoz Molina

Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez

Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)

Short-term let permits explained

Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.

Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.

There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.

Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE Premiership

Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes

Fixture
Friday, March 29, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, The Sevens, Dubai

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

England's lowest Test innings

- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887

- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994

- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009

- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948

- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888

- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018

Day 3 stumps

New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)

Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining