As tennis tournament matches go, neither Carolos Alcaraz vs. Borip van de Zandschulp nor Novak Djokovic vs. Alexei Popyrin was riveting.  Notwithstanding some moments of high form in these contests at the U.S. Open, you do not expect to see the second and third seeds lose in second rounds. Pursuing the other day’s theme in this space, they were upsets. Coco Gauff observed of her own slump earlier in the season — a very inapt term, considering she kept her no. 3 ranking. Less shocking, on the women’s side Madison Keys, strong in the first rounds, lost in the third to Elise Mertens, and two-time champion Naomi Osaka lost (in straight sets) to Karolina Muchova; but these can compare to what happened in the suddenly wide open men’s draw. Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2023 in a thrilling five set final, and repeated the feat this past July, just weeks after winning an epic five-set final against Alexander Zverev at Roland-Garros. He was U.S. Open winner in 2022, following thrillingly close wins over Jannik Sinner in the quarters and Frances Tiafoe in the semis.  At 19 and less than a half, he became the youngest no. 1 in recorded history. Djokovic, who has won the most majors (24), holds the record for most weeks as no. 1. Stats are what they are worth.  Djokovic tore a knee ligament at Roland, which required surgery; quite remarkable therefore was his run to the final at Wimbledon, even if it was a poor match compared to the previous year’s.  He got his revenge just weeks later by beating the young Spaniard for the gold medal in men’s singles at the Paris Olympics. Coco Gauff, who breezed through the first three rounds at Flushing Meadows in the form she displayed in winning here last year, commented on the two unexpected upsets.  Between them it’s “peak tennis,” she said; which is certainly true, with an inter-generational battle lurking under the contrasting styles, the younger man’s irresistible offense against the older man’s impregnable defense.  They are, she said, once-in-a-generation players. “and they’re playing each other on two different spectrums.” Were they seeing each other in Alexei Popyrin and  Borip van de Zandschulp? Neither the 24-year-old Australian nor the 28 year old Dutchman can be compared in playing style to Alcaraz and Djokovic. Also, Popyrin, who won the Canadian Masters this year and is seeded 28 at the U.S. Open, presents, objectively, a greater challenge to Djokovic than van de Zandschulp presents to Alcaraz. But that is probably not what Miss Gauff has in mind. She means they know they are the best, and they want more wins than the other, no matter against whom and where they are playing. There always comes an ebb after a flow, and both champs were about due for one. Alcaraz said he was “playing against myself” in the match, and he also said, just a fortnight earlier, after a burst of racket-smashing temper while losing to Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Masters, that he was playing the worst in his life.  Djokovic said the same of himself after losing to Popyrin. Ball players would know the feeling, say they are in slumps. Djokovic made fourteen double faults in his match against the 28th ranked Popyrin; offhand no one sitting in the Ashe Stadium press bleachers could recall  anything like this, and some fellows have been watching him for two decades. Popyrin doubled six times.  They were about even in aces and total points, but the doubles perhaps indicates the sheer fatigue — weariness is not in Djokovic’s nature — under which he was laboring. Against van de Zandschulp, ranked 74, Alcaraz was about even in winners and service (both rather feeble), but he won 73 points in total to 92:  basically, he was just hitting poorly. It was a sluggish game.  He was unhappy with himself, as he said, or something. He has had a terrific season to date, and maybe losing Olympic gold to Djokovic in a great, close, exhausting match that ended in a tiebreak, got to him. Coco Gauff observed of her own slump earlier in the season — a very inapt term, considering she kept her no. 3 ranking — that it all depends on the kind of pressure you put on yourself: “Why stress yourself over a victory lap?” You’ve won, here and elsewhere, and you know and believe you will again. One likes to think she got this from her parents, both of whom are collegiate varsity athletes, and from her being a regular Bible reader, from which this idea of cycles and valleys and mountains emerges in many passages of varied contexts. Djokovic will move on, he has nothing left to prove where tennis glory is concerned — unless it is as a teacher, like the one he knew and toward whom he has always felt pious love, Jelena Gencic. And Alcaraz will be upset for a while, and he will deal with it, and follow in the steps of his sports heroes, Djokovic of course, Roger Federer, and Rafa Nadal, and his teachers, beginning with his father, Carlos Sr., and the coach who has guided his precocious breakthrough, Juan Carlos Ferrero. READ MORE from Roger Kaplan: Sinner and Swiatek Make Their Mark World’s Best Racquets in New York The post Upsets and Faith, and Djokovic at the Open appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

from 21st Century Wire: Will a desperate Biden administration resort to a desperate move to try and rescue its abysmal failure in Ukraine ahead of the upcoming US election in November? Neutrality Studies host Pascal Lottaz explores the emerging geopolitical conundrum which Washington now finds itself in. This discussion unpacks real meaning of Jake Sullivan’s China trip […]

by Kit Knightly, Off Guardian: Have you heard? Gene-edited crops and livestock are here to solve all our problems! Yes, everything from pandemics to the cost of living crisis to climate change is about to get so much better. Isn’t that a relief? Five days ago, the WaPo reported that “gene-editors” were: TRUTH LIVES on […]

A tragic event unfolded off the coast of Sicily involving the luxury yacht, the Sicily Bayesian yacht. This 56-meter British-flagged vessel, which had 22 individuals on board, encountered severe weather conditions early Monday morning, resulting in the death of one person and leaving six others missing. The yacht was caught in a powerful storm that generated waterspouts, leading to its sinking. Here’s a detailed account of what transpired and the ongoing search efforts. How the Sicily Bayesian Yacht Met Its Fate sbs.com.au | The yacht, with its 72-meter aluminum mast, was reportedly overpowered by the storm. In the early hours of Monday, the Sicily Bayesian yacht was anchored off Porticello, a small fishing village near Palermo, when a violent storm struck. Witnesses reported that the storm, which included intense winds and waterspouts, hit the vessel with such force that it capsized rapidly. The yacht, equipped with a 72-meter aluminum mast, was reportedly overwhelmed by the storm’s ferocity. According to some accounts, the mast broke during the storm, causing the yacht to lose its balance and sink within minutes. Impact of the Storm Waterspouts – The storm created waterspouts—rotating columns of air and mist over the sea. These phenomena can act like tornadoes over water, bringing powerful winds that can impact large vessels. Capsizing Event – A doctor who treated survivors described the yacht as having capsized almost instantly, with the vessel vanishing beneath the water around 05:00 local time. Search and Rescue Operations The search and rescue mission for the Sicily Bayesian yacht has been intense and ongoing. Here’s a summary of the latest developments: Efforts to Locate Missing Individuals Current Status –Six people remain unaccounted for, including notable figures such as British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch. The search operation continues with specialized divers and rescue teams. Diver Reports – Divers have noted that the yacht remains largely intact on the seabed, about 50 meters underwater. The wreck’s interior is cluttered with debris, making access difficult. Witness Accounts Observations – Local fishermen and survivors reported seeing the yacht sinking or its remnants floating in the sea. One witness described seeing the yacht go down while another recounted finding survivors in a drifting life raft. The Victims and Those Missing Instagram | telegraph | Two bodies recovered from the sunken Bayesian yacht have been identified as Mike Lynch and his daughter Hannah. The Sicily Bayesian yacht was carrying a mix of passengers and crew from various countries. Among those missing are Mike Lynch, a prominent tech entrepreneur, and his daughter, as well as other high-profile individuals. The only body recovered so far was identified as the ship’s cook. Understanding Waterspouts Waterspouts are tornadoes that form over water. They develop under intense storms and can cause significant damage. These phenomena are capable of producing powerful winds and swirling water columns, which can be disastrous for large vessels like the Sicily Bayesian yacht. The Sicily Bayesian Yacht The Sicily Bayesian yacht, built by Perini Navi in 2008, is a luxury vessel capable of accommodating up to 12 guests. It is known for its high rental cost, reaching up to €195,000 per week. The yacht is registered under Revtom Ltd, located in the Isle of Man, and has been used extensively for various sailing engagements. The sinking of the Sicily Bayesian yacht off Sicily’s coast has highlighted the potential dangers of severe weather conditions at sea. The ongoing search and rescue operations aim to bring closure to the families of those missing and to understand the full scope of the tragedy. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and its impact on maritime safety. The post Why Did the Sicily Bayesian Yacht Sink Off the Coast of Sicily? appeared first on Fun Facts For Days.