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Australian Open: Contrasting first-round wins for teenager Alcaraz and Shapovalov

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Spanish teenager and last year’s US Open quarterfinalist Carlos Alcaraz lived up to his status as a first-time Grand Slam seed as the world No. 31 scored a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win over Chilean qualifier Alejando Tabilo on Day One of the Australian Open here on Monday.

The 18-year-old Alcaraz’s first serves proved too much for the 24-year-old Tabilo, who was making his second Grand Slam main-draw appearance, as the Spaniard put his game on full display after an offseason spent on improving his skills.

“I felt really good,” said Alcaraz after the match. “I didn’t expect that this first match was going to be really good for me. I played a great level the first match of the season. Really good feelings… hope the next matches are going to be the same.”

With Alcaraz at No. 31 and Tabilo at No. 135, it was never going to be an easy job for the latter and the gap in the rankings showed as the Spaniard advanced comfortably after the pair traded early breaks.

Alcaraz went on a six-game winning streak to wrestle away control. The Spaniard built his opening-round game on intense aggression from the baseline, but he also deftly mixed well-placed returns in building the lead.

Alcaraz faced just one break point in the match, while breaking seven times in 16 chances of his own.

“I’m starting to get more comfortable on hard court than on clay courts,” said Alcaraz. “I think the most tournaments of the year are on hard court, so you have to be ready.”

Alcaraz enters the new year on the heels of a breakout year that also saw him reach the US Open quarterfinals, win his first ATP title (Umag) and break into the ATP’s top-40 for the first time. Alcaraz had started the 2021 season inside the top-150.

This season, his goals include reaching the top-15 and playing in the Nitto ATP Finals.

“It’s a really good goal for me, but so difficult as well,” he said.

With the top quarter of the Australian Open draw now missing world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz will take on Dusan Lajovic of Serbia, who defeated Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, 6-7(6), 6-1. One step further, No. 7 seed from Italy Matteo Berrettini looms as a potential third-round opponent.

Less than a fortnight after helping Canada win the ATP Cup, Denis Shapovalov survived a first-round matchup against Croatia’s Laslo Djere. After being two points away from a fifth set, the Canadian advanced in four, 7-6(3), 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(3). Djere had an opportunity to serve for both the first and fourth sets, but each time the No. 14 Canadian seed denied him.

“I felt like the fourth set was slipping away from me after that set point,” Shapovalov said in his on-court interview. “But I’m very happy with the outcome.

“He did a great dob to come back from two sets to none,” Shapovalov was quoted as saying by atptour.com. “He changed his tactics, tried to go for it more and was very tricky.”

Next up for the Canadian is South Korea’s Soonwoo Kwon, who edged past Holger Rune of Denmark 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Bollywood

Amitabh Bachchan gets emotional listening to late mother Teji Bachchan’s voice ahead of 84th birthday

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Mumbai, Oct 10: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was left visibly emotional on the sets of the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati during a special birthday-week celebration, as the voice of his late mother, Teji Bachchan, filled the studio with cherished memories.

The emotional moment unfolded when a recording of Teji Bachchan reciting a poem penned by her husband and noted Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan was played on the show.

The poem, ‘Raat Aadhi Ho Gayi Hai’, evoked fond memories of the actor’s parents, leaving him overwhelmed with emotions.

Monochrome pictures of a young Amitabh with his mother appeared on the screen, accompanied by Teji Bachchan’s soulful recitation of the poem by Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

Recognizing the familiar voice instantly, a visibly overwhelmed Big B paused to share with the audience, “Maa ki aawaaz hai yeh… Haan, woh Babuji ki ek kavita gaa rahi hain..” (This is my mother’s voice… Yes, she is singing a poem by Babuji)

Further a young child and dancer paid a tribute to the megastar stating, “Amitabh Bachchan ji sirf ek superstar, host ya pita nahi… balki ek emotion hain, Hindustan ka emotion” (Amitabh Bachchan ji is not just a superstar, a host or a father… he is an emotion, the emotion of India)

Amitabh bachchan has spoken a lot many times about his late.Mother and all the impact she has had on him throughout his life.

Teji bachchan passed away in 2007.

Meanwhile, Amitabh Bachchan will turn 84 years on October 11.

The actor has been working round the clock, despite his senior age and has multiple projects in the pipeline along with KBC.

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Faisal Shaikh aka Faisu drops dreamy photos from his wedding in Madinah: A blessing beyond words

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Mumbai, Oct 10: Popular social media influencer Faisal Shaikh, popularly known as Mr Faisu, announced his wedding on Saturday.

Taking to his official Insta handle, he uploaded a string of dreamy pictures from the nikah ceremony which took place in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

While Faisu opted for a white sherwani for his special day, the bride looked gorgeous in a red and white sharara.

Sharing the beautiful pictures on his official handle, Faisu wrote in the caption, “And We created you in pairs” (Quran 78:8) Alhamdulillah for a dream turned into reality. Nikah in the beautiful city of Madinah, with my entire family by my side. A blessing beyond words (sic).”

“Please keep us in your duas as we begin this beautiful journey together. May Allah bless our marriage with endless love and barakah. Ameen,” he added.

As the announcement reached social media, many members from the entertainment industry congratulated the newlyweds in the comment section.

Actress Rubina Dilaik shared, “Big Congratulations… God Bless you”.

Influencer Abhishek Malhan aka Fukra Insaan remarked, “So happy for you broski…Congratulations”.

Dhanashree Verma shared, “Congratulations (blue hearts) Blessings”.

Prince Narula added, “congratulations brother”.

Actress Urvashi Dholakia penned, “Bahut Bahut Mubarak…stay blessed.. happiness always & forever”.

Actor Gaurav Khanna commented, “Bahut bahut shubh kamnayein mere bhai .. congratulations for the new life ahead .. miltein hain aap dono se jald .”

Actress Ridhi Dogra wrote, “Buhut Mubaarak be blessed always”.

Not too long ago, a wedding card announcing Faisu’s marriage went viral on social media. It featured the names Faisu and Tanya, bringing her name into the public eye for the first time.

In the photos shared by Faisu on his handle, the two were seen signing the wedding register. Another pic had him kissing his bride on the forehead.

The newlyweds were also seen catching a glimpse of Madinah through the wedding hall.

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Shehnaaz Gill recalls Mahhi Vij giving her clothes during tough times, calls her ‘pure and clean-hearted’

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Mumbai, October 10: Actress Shehnaaz Gill has expressed her support for Mahhi Vij amid the latter’s Bigg Boss 20 journey.

Shehnaaz recalled how the latter stood by her during difficult times and even helped her when she did not have clothes.

Taking to her social media account, Shehnaaz clarified that she has not been following Bigg Boss and, therefore, does not know whether Mahhi is playing the game well or badly.

She said that her support for Mahhi remains unwavering, and further recalled the bond they shared and the kindness Mahhi showed her during her struggling days.

“I am not following Bigg Boss so I don’t know how Mahhi is playing good or bad. But I’m still supporting her,” Shehnaaz wrote.

Recalling the difficult phase of her life when Mahhi came forward to help her, Shehnaaz added, “I was also in the same platform that Mahhi is in today and I remember how difficult it was. There was a time when I did not even have clothes. Mahhi stepped in and supported me a lot.”

Shehnaaz also spoke about the emotional support she received from Mahhi. “When I laughed she laughed with me. When I cried she cried with me,” she wrote. “She is genuinely such a pure and clean hearted person. I have seen that side of her and that’s why no matter how she plays inside the house I will always support Mahhi.”

Shehnaaz’s statement also offers a glimpse into the bond the two share beyond the reality show.

In fact, during an earlier episode of Bigg Boss 20, the contestants were shown some of the most memorable moments from the show’s history. One of the most emotional moments came when Mahhi Vij broke down in tears while watching happy and joyful memories of Shehnaaz Gill and Sidharth Shukla.

As the clips played on screen, Mahhi struggled to hold back her emotions, with tears rolling down her cheeks every time Sidharth and Shehnaaz appeared.

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