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Drama, Dominance, And Debuts: Highlights From Day Three At The Australian Open

Day three of the Australian Open delivered a thrilling mix of breakout performances, seasoned resilience, and high drama, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.

Fonseca’s Grand Slam Fairytale

The spotlight shone brightest on 18-year-old Joao Fonseca, who made history on his Grand Slam main draw debut. The Brazilian qualifier stunned ninth-seed Andrey Rublev with a dazzling 7-6(1) 6-3 7-6(5) victory, becoming only the second teenager since 1973 to defeat a top-10 ATP player in their debut. With 51 winners and unshakeable composure, Fonseca is now set to face Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the second round.

Medvedev’s Meltdown And Redemption

Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev’s match against Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej was as much about the tennis as it was about his fiery emotions. After smashing his racket and a net camera in frustration, earning a code violation, Medvedev rallied for a hard-fought 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory. Reflecting on his turnaround, Medvedev said, “At the end of last year, this match I probably would have lost. Now it’s a new year and new energy … So I’m happy to win this match.”

Steady Hands And Setbacks

Fourth seed Taylor Fritz showcased his clinical form with a commanding 6-2 6-0 6-3 win over compatriot Jenson Brooksby. Fritz, who played a pivotal role in the U.S. United Cup triumph, will next face qualifier Cristian Garin. Despite returning from injuries and a doping suspension, Brooksby was unable to match Fritz’s precision, marked by 34 winners.

Emma Raducanu battled through inconsistency to secure her fourth consecutive second-round appearance, overcoming 26th-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6(4) 7-6(2). Despite 15 double faults, the 22-year-old summoned her brilliance when it mattered most and now faces American Amanda Anisimova.

Navarro’s Marathon Victory

In one of the day’s longest encounters, eighth seed Emma Navarro outlasted fellow American Peyton Stearns in a gruelling 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 7-5 contest. Over three hours and 20 minutes, Navarro clawed back from a breakdown in the final set to win four consecutive games and secure her place in the next round. Reflecting on the match, she remarked, “Crazy match today … maybe wasn’t my best, but it feels really special to get the win.”

Other Notable Results

  • Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina cruised past Australian wildcard Emerson Jones 6-1 6-1 under the watchful eye of new coach Goran Ivanisevic.
  • Matteo Berrettini came from a set down to beat Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-7(4) 6-4 6-1 6-3, earning a second-round clash with Holger Rune, who survived a five-set thriller against Zhang Zhizhen.
  • Gael Monfils triumphed in a French epic against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(7) 6-3 6-7(6) 7-6(5) 6-4.

As the Australian Open unfolds, the third day highlighted the unpredictability and brilliance that make tennis’s first Grand Slam of the year unmissable. From Fonseca’s electrifying debut to Medvedev’s resilience and Navarro’s determination, the tournament promises even more drama ahead.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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