In this screenshot taken from YouTube, Grigor Dimitrov smashes the first of three rackets during the Istanbul Open final.
In this screenshot taken from YouTube, Grigor Dimitrov smashes the first of three rackets during the Istanbul Open final.

Video: Grigor Dimitrov smashes three rackets during Istanbul Open final meltdown



Grigor Dimitrov may often be the personification of cool but the Bulgarian world No 29 lost his temper during the Istanbul Open final, smashing three rackets in the process.

Second seed Dimitrov was leading Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman by a set and 5-2 before he completely lost control of himself and eventually the match.

Schwartzman, the world No 87, went on to claim a 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 win for his first title.

But it was 24-year-old Dimitrov’s antics that grabbed the headlines as he lost 11 of the last 12 games.

Bidding for a fifth career crown and playing in his eighth final, Dimitrov became increasingly frustrated with his inability to close out the match, smashing racket after racket into the Istanbul clay.

Once he went into a third meltdown courtside at 0-5, 40-40 in the decider, it resulted in a game penalty and forfeit of the match.

“I let myself down, I let my team down, I let my family down with that behaviour,” Dimitrov said.

“I started cramping at 5-2 in the second set. It was very unfortunate that I couldn’t close out the match. I have to give credit to Diego.”

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Install an air filter in your home.

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Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

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● No of employees: Nine

The Baghdad Clock

Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld

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Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.

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Sector: Health-tech

Size: 22 employees

Funding: Seed funding 

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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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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
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Saadiyaat beach
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Zayed Sports City
 
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Sporting Lisbon (POR) v Manchester City (ENG) 

Benfica (POR) v Ajax (NED) 

Chelsea (ENG) v Lille (FRA) 

Atletico Madrid (ESP) v Manchester United (ENG) 

Villarreal (ESP) v Juventus (ITA) 

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Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid (ESP)  

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From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

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