Novak Djokovic defeats Roger Federer in 5-set thriller to win 16th Grand Slam title
London: After spending a fortnight fighting in gruelling matches, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic met each other in the final. The two forces, who are known for their different styles, came together to be a part of an unforgettable encounter at the All England Club.
In the first set, Federer and Djokovic used their respective service games to win alternate games. Djokovic then too the equally contested set to a tie-break and won it take a 1-0 led against Federer.
Following that, Federer fired back with a perfect combination of forehand shots and footwork. He won four games in a row before Djokovic could get his name on the scoreboard. That was also the Serb’s only game win in the second set before Federer closed it in his favour and equalise against his opponent’s lead.
The third set was almost a repetition of the opening set where both players contested in a tie-break. Once again, Djokovic used the situation to fuel his drive and went on to take a 2-1 lead against the Swiss legend.
Following that, Federer fought back once again to equalise the Serb’s lead. He won the fourth set while only allowing Djokovic to bag two games.
The du0 then headed to the decision in which Djokovic was the first to take lead. But Federer closely chased World No. 1 and dragged the set to the third tie-break of the match.
Federer had two championship points but Djokovic defended well. By this time, both men created history by playing in the longest final in Wimbledon history.
Once again, Djokovic was relentless and dominated the tie-break. He defeated Roger Federer to win his fifth Grand Slam title at the All England Club.
Result: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer 6(5)-6(7), 6-1, 7(7)-6(4), 6-4, 12(3)-13(7)
Courtesy: www.foxsportsasia.com
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Israel launches first airstrike on Lebanon since ceasefire, accusing Hezbollah of breaching truce
Beirut, Nov 28: The Israeli military on Thursday said its warplanes fired on southern Lebanon after detecting Hezbollah activity at a rocket storage facility, the first Israeli airstrike a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took hold.
There was no immediate word on casualties from Israel's aerial attack, which came hours after the Israeli military said it fired on people trying to return to certain areas in southern Lebanon. Israel said they were violating the ceasefire agreement, without providing details. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said two people were wounded.
The back-to-back incidents stirred unease about the agreement, brokered by the United States and France, which includes an initial two-month ceasefire in which Hezbollah members are to withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli forces are to return to their side of the border. The buffer zone would be patrolled by Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers.
On Thursday, the second day of a ceasefire after more than a year of bloody conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon's state news agency reported that Israeli fire targeted civilians in Markaba, close to the border, without providing further details. Israel said it fired artillery in three other locations near the border. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
An Associated Press reporter in northern Israel near the border heard Israeli drones buzzing overhead and the sound of artillery strikes from the Lebanese side.
The Israeli military said in a statement that “several suspects were identified arriving with vehicles to a number of areas in southern Lebanon, breaching the conditions of the ceasefire.” It said troops “opened fire toward them” and would “actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement.”
Israeli officials have said forces will be withdrawn gradually as it ensures that the agreement is being enforced. Israel has warned people not to return to areas where troops are deployed, and says it reserves the right to strike Hezbollah if it violates the terms of the truce.
A Lebanese military official said Lebanese troops would gradually deploy in the south as Israeli troops withdraw. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media.
The ceasefire agreement announced late Tuesday ended 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah that began a day after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza, when the Lebanese Hezbollah group began firing rockets, drones and missiles in solidarity.
Israel retaliated with airstrikes, and the conflict steadily intensified for nearly a year before boiling over into all-out war in mid-September. The war in Gaza is still raging with no end in sight.
More than 3,760 people were killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon during the conflict, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The fighting killed more than 70 people in Israel — over half of them civilians — as well as dozens of Israeli soldiers fighting in southern Lebanon.
Some 1.2 million people were displaced in Lebanon, and thousands began streaming back to their homes on Wednesday despite warnings from the Lebanese military and the Israeli army to stay out of certain areas. Some 50,000 people were displaced on the Israeli side, but few have returned and the communities near the northern border are still largely deserted.
In Menara, an Israeli community on the border with views into Lebanon, around three quarters of homes are damaged, some with collapsed roofs and burnt-out interiors. A few residents could be seen gathering their belongings on Thursday before leaving again.
