Questions and answers after the French Open at Roland Garros:
What's so funny about Rafael Nadal?
Somehow, he manages to be both the person you would least like to see across the net and one of the people you would most like to see in company. Take the closing weekend.
The force that overtook Roger Federer in the fourth set on Sunday resembled some sort of mighty weather pattern. It might have turned up on radar. It could make your jaw drop even after seven years of watching Nadal.
It went beyond tennis and into boxing. You could imagine bruises even though the ball never struck anyone.
It embodied the old line by the American former professional Luke Jensen, who said he saw in players opposing Nadal a yearning: Could we please, please just get to the locker room?
And still, opposite that impressive level of benign barbarism stands one of the most gracious people ever in sport.
On Friday, Nadal revealed his curious absence of ego by referring to the Novak Djokovic-Federer match as "the best player of today and the best player of history". When he embraced Andy Murray after their semi-final the same day, he assured his victim that Murray possesses skill adequate for a first grand slam title.
That's right. In a sport in which confidence boosts can mean dramatic swings of outcome, he tried to lend some confidence to somebody who might defeat him someday.
Apparently they do teach manners in Mallorca.
Was Murray's semi-final berth accomplishment or disappointment?
Accomplishment. It counted as a fresh French Open frontier for a man who had never reached a Roland Garros semi-final.
Do you think he will win a grand slam?
Yes. But then, I don't mind joining a minority from time to time.
What about Federer refuting those critics, as his family claimed to the New York Times on Friday?
Oh, please. That man has no "critics". He has commentators who assert - accurately - that his dominance has waned as it always expected to, plus other commentators who say it has waned but that, at 29 and beyond, he will know episodic bursts of nostalgic greatness such as last weekend.
Sure, he has a few who think him gone from the top two for good, but really, everybody should get "insulted" so gingerly.
That whole theme has reiterated how many athletes - or, just as often, their fans - scour the planet for slights hoping they will lend motivation. It almost makes you think that without the media hurling doubt, nobody would ever accomplish anything.
Almost.
What's the most impressive aspect of Li Na this year?
I'm going for the two grand slam finals. In a sport gone inchoate, it is uncommon consistency that one player, especially a player long in the backdrop, would reach both Australian and French Open finals, and clearly learn from the almost of the first to the boldness of the second.
Other aspects rival that. It is close to amusing that her first grand slam title came in the least likely of the four, in an event in which she had never surpassed the fourth round.
And it is curious that after the Australian Open finalist showing, she lost in her first match in Dubai, Doha, Indian Wells and Miami, and then her second in Stuttgart.
And it is fun that she jettisoned her husband as coach along the way, two months after imitating his snoring to a charmed Australian audience.
And it is quite a testament to China's continued bigness that the first Chinese champion did so in such an exotic place and surface.
Where does Li rank in your head, and does Dubai champion Caroline Wozniacki deserve to remain world No 1 after losing in the third round?
No 2, and yes.
The computer, which goes on a 12-month cycle, positions Li fourth, and that's fine. I think of her as just behind Wozniacki.
Even though Wozniacki really flopped in Paris and has not graced a grand slam final since 2009, I still think it good for the game that the second- and third-tier tournaments count, even if there are too many of them for basic human health.
What's so funny about Maria Sharapova?
It is not as extreme a case as Nadal, but it is a compelling dichotomy. Off the court, she rules in the ads and the glamour. On the court people might talk tiresomely about her clothes, but the fight grabs you. You always get honest effort.
So is Nadal, with his 17-8 record against Federer, 6-2 in slam finals, the best ever?
Not yet.
cculpepper@thenational.ae
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
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
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Company%20Profile
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If you go
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.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Fixtures
50-over match
UAE v Lancashire, starts at 10am
Champion County match
MCC v Surrey, four-day match, starting on Sunday, March 24, play starts at 10am
Both matches are at ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City. Admission is free.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
BlacKkKlansman
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver
Five stars
The biog
Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.
Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.
Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
Favourite food: Dim sum
Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.
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RESULTS
Bantamweight
Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
(Split decision)
Featherweight
Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
(Round 1 submission, armbar)
Catchweight 80kg
Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)
(Round-1 submission, rear naked choke)
Lightweight
Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)
(Round 3 submission, triangle choke)
Lightweight
Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)
(Unanimous points)
Bantamweight
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
(Round 1 TKO)
Featherweight
Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
(Round 1 rear naked choke)
Flyweight
Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)
(Unanimous decision)
Lightweight
Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)
(Round 2 submission D’arce choke)
Catchweight 73kg
Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)
(Round 3 submission, kneebar)
Bantamweight world title
Xavier Alaoui (MAR) beat Jaures Dea (CAM)
(Unanimous points 48-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Flyweight world title
Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
(Round 1 RSC)
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)