Lehecka struck eight aces and converted four of eight break chances to secure the first Top 3 win of his career.
World number three Carlos Alcaraz was left ruing a mistake that let Jiri Lehecka off the hook in the third set and allowed the Czech to fight back and claim a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory in the Qatar Open quarter-finals on Thursday.
The Indian challenge extends to the Challengers' section, where Divya Deshmukh will compete against some strong Grandmasters.
The first quarter has scored mostly flops, with just one blockbuster (Chhaava) and a smattering of those which have recovered costs.
Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has directed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the passport issued to former Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi, citing his attempt to avoid extradition. Modi had applied to surrender his Indian passport to the Indian High Commission in London, but the Vanuatu government stated that Interpol twice rejected India's request for an alert notice due to lack of evidence. The statement emphasized that holding a Vanuatu passport is a privilege, not a right, and applicants must seek citizenship for legitimate reasons, which does not include evading extradition.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat stressed the importance of respecting differences and fostering cohesion in a diverse society while addressing the Republic Day celebrations in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. He also emphasized the values of equality, freedom, and fraternity, highlighting the significance of the 'dhammachakra' on the national flag as a symbol of these principles. Bhagwat urged the younger generation to strive for greatness and use their success for the betterment of the country, highlighting the need for selfless contribution and the collective responsibility of the people in shaping the nation's future.
President Droupadi Murmu has approved gallantry awards to 93 armed forces personnel, including two Kirti Chakras and 14 Shaurya Chakras, on the eve of Republic Day. The Kirti Chakras, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, have been awarded to Major Manjit from 22 Rashtriya Rifles and posthumously to Naik Dilwar Khan, 28 Rashtriya Rifles. The president also approved 305 defense decorations to Armed Forces and other personnel.
The Medal for Gallantry recipients also included Humayun Bhat, a deputy superintendent of police who was one of four officers to lay down their lives during an encounter with terrorists in south Kashmir's Kokernag in September 2023.
With these fashion ideas, you're all set to celebrate Republic Day in style.
Visibility wasn't good during the Republic Day flypast and the clouds hung low. 'We had 30 seconds to fame in 46 years and we made good use of it,' says Commander Mrinmoy Ghosh who flew the Indian Navy's IL-38 SD aircraft during Thursday's flypast.
A 100-year-old freedom fighter from Goa, a Dhak player from West Bengal who trained 150 women in the male-dominated field, and India's first woman puppeteers are among 30 unsung heroes who were awarded Padma Shri on Republic Day. Libia Lobo Sardesai, who played an important role in Goa's freedom movement, cofounded an underground radio station -- 'Voz da Liberdabe (Voice of Freedom)' -- in a forested area in 1955 to rally people against the Portuguese rule. She has been awarded the Padma Shri by the President on the occasion of 76th Republic Day. Also among the awardees is Gokul Chandra Dey, a 57-year-old Dhak player from West Bengal who broke the gender stereotype by training 150 women in the male-dominated field. Dey also created a lightweight Dhak type, 1.5 kg less than the conventional instrument, and represented India at various international platforms and performed with Maestros like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Zakir Hussain. A vocal advocate of woman empowerment, 82-year-old Sally Holkar transformed once dying Maheshwari craft and founded Handloom school in Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh, to give training in traditional weaving techniques. Born in America and Inspired by Rani Ahilyabai Holkar's legacy, she devoted five decades of her life to revitalise 300-year-old weaving legacy. She has also been awarded Padma Shri.
Russian teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva continued her giant-slaying exploits at the Dubai Tennis Championships by upsetting Kazakhstani sixth seed Elena Rybakina 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in the semi-finals on Friday.
Train services on the Central Railway's main and harbour lines were disrupted on Sunday morning due to an extended mega block for a bridge girder launch, causing inconvenience to local and long distance travellers. As many as 11 long distance trains that depart from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai have been rescheduled and nine trains which arrive at CSMT have been short-terminated due to the block. There were also reports of a labourer getting injured during the girder launch. The six-hour-long mega block conducted for launching the girder of the under-construction Carnac Bridge was initially scheduled to end at 5.30 am but was delayed. The Central Railway's local train operations were cancelled between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Byculla and between CSMT and Wadala stations on the main and harbour lines due to the mega block.
Naib Subedar Chunni Lal is the only soldier awarded the Ashok Chakra, Vir Chakra and Sena Medal.
Sumit Nagal will take on Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic in the opening round of the Australian Open
Philippine wildcard Alexandra Eala pulled off the biggest win of her young career with a stunning upset of Polish world number two Iga Swiatek.
No. 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain was pushed to three sets before finishing off Dutch wild card Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round of the ABN AMRO Open.
Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar of the Indian Air Force has participated in the Republic Day parade every year for 26 years.
Over 5,000 folk and tribal artists from across India performed 45 dance forms during the 76th Republic Day celebrations. The 11-minute cultural performance, titled "Jayati Jaya Mamah Bharatam," was curated by the Sangeet Natak Academy and showcased the rich legacy of tribal and folk art forms. The choreography celebrated themes of "Viksit Bharat," "Virasat bhi Vikas bhi," and "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat." The performance, which covered the entire Kartavya Path for the first time, highlighted youth power, artistic heritage, and women empowerment.
Modi, who has infused personal chemistry in his international encounters, has made the special gesture of receiving a foreign leader at the airport only six times.
Andrey Rublev reached the final of the Qatar Open on Friday with a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(5) win over Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, and will meet Jack Draper in the decider after the Briton beat Czech Jiri Lehecka.
Indian Grandmasters R Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh Chithambaram maintained their lead in the Prague Masters chess tournament after drawing their fifth-round match.
During this summer, Indian travel buffs are opting for destinations that provide an escape from the ominous heat, along with coastal regions within the country and countries offering visa-free travel.
The Mumbai police's probe in this respect was "at variance" with its probe, the central agency said in the charge sheet.
The first generation IAF officer from Haryana will assist President Droupadi Murmu as the supreme commander of India's armed forces unfurls the Tiranga on Republic Day.
Coco Gauff was given a solid workout by former champion Sofia Kenin but continued her lengthy winning streak
India's Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has stated that India is fully aware of China's increasing presence in the Indian Ocean Region, with 6-8 Chinese naval ships present at any given time. Admiral Tripathi emphasized that India knows "who goes where", suggesting strong maritime domain awareness, and has not allowed China to operate in areas of Indian interest. He also highlighted China's supply of maritime equipment to Pakistan, including submarines, which India is actively addressing to ensure its maritime security and trade.
Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram crashed through the defenses of super-solid Anish Giri to jump in to sole lead after the end of the seventh round of Prague Masters.
'Habitat was viewed as the proxy for him and got unjustly targeted.'
Glimpses of the dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade.
The all powerful prime minister's office has selected the chief guest who will grace Republic Day 2022.
Women on an average gave 10 minutes more to "employment-related activities" and spent 7 minutes less on "unpaid domestic services for household members" per day in 2024 against what they did five years ago in 2019.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and No. 8 seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland will clash in the ABN Amro Open semi-finals on Saturday after both posted victories on Friday in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, ranked No. 8 in the world, will face American Sam Shankland in the sixth round of the Prague Masters.
Jasprit Bumrah was the highlight of Coldplay's second concert in Ahmedabad on Sunday, January 26.
'Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to strive to realise Gandhiji's dreams. His watchwords, truth and nonviolence, will continue to remain relevant for the whole world. He also taught us that rights and duties are but the two sides of the coin - indeed, the true source of rights is duty. Today we recall his lessons in compassion too - compassion not only for our human neighbours but also for our other neighbours, namely, flora and fauna, rivers and mountains.'
Romania's Ana Bogdan advanced the quarterfinals of the Japan Open with a 6-0, 7-6 (5) victory over No. 4 seed Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic on Thursday in Osaka.
After earning Rs 730 crore* until Christmas (Rs 7.3 billion), the film is marching fast towards the Rs 800 crore (Rs 8 billion) mark.
Syed Firdaus Ashraf marches through time to trace the bitter history between Russia and its West European neighbours.
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