Stan Wawrinka reached the semi-finals of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship before being eliminated by Milos Raonic. Ali Haider / EPA
Stan Wawrinka reached the semi-finals of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship before being eliminated by Milos Raonic. Ali Haider / EPA

From Abu Dhabi to India, Stan Wawrinka continues preparations for Australian Open



Fresh from his participation at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, world No 4 Stan Wawrinka will head to India for the ATP Chennai Open, starting Monday, in preparation for the Australian Open later this month.

The French Open champion, who reached the semi-finals in Abu Dhabi before being ousted by Milos Raonic, is bidding for his third consecutive Chennai Open title and hopes a victory in India will help propel him to another major win, just as it did in 2014 and 2015.

Two years ago Wawrinka clinched his first grand slam when he won the Australian Open just weeks after triumphing in southern India. Last year, Wawrinka followed up victory in Chennai by taking home the trophy at Roland Garros in June.

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“I’ve always enjoyed coming to Chennai. The tournament is a nice way to start the season, the fans are great and I like the atmosphere in the stadium,” Wawrinka said.

“2015 has been an amazing year and 2016 is already around the corner. I want to continue to do well, win tournaments, and go deep at the Slams. And hopefully I get a great start into the season in Chennai again.”

Wawrinka also won in Chennai in 2011 and is the top seed in the $480,000 tournament.

His closest challenger is likely to be number two seed Kevin Anderson. The big-serving South African has a 4-4 record against Wawrinka but says he’s not thinking too much about his opponents.

“I typically try to focus on my own game and I know if I do that and execute, I can beat anyone,” said the world number 12.

The final of the Chennai Open takes place on Sunday.

The Australian Open in Melbourne runs from January 18 to 31.

Seedings:

1. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)

2. Kevin Anderson (RSA)

3. Benoit Paire (FRA)

4. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)

5. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP)

6. Gilles Muller (LUX)

7. Vasek Pospisil (CAN)

8. Borna Coric (CRO)

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Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures

October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA

The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

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COMPANY PROFILE

Company: Bidzi

● Started: 2024

● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid

● Based: Dubai, UAE

● Industry: M&A

● Funding size: Bootstrapped

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Coming 2 America

Directed by: Craig Brewer

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
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Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5
How tumultuous protests grew
  • A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
  • Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved 
  • Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
  • At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
  • Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars 
  • Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
  • An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital 
RESULTS

Main card

Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision

Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision

Lightweight 60kg:  Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3

Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision

Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision

Light heavyweight 81.4kg:  Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round

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MATCH INFO

Manchester United v Brighton, Sunday, 6pm UAE

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners

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