Australian Open: Dominant Djokovic demolishes Pouille, faces Nadal in final
Melbourne, Jan 25: Novak Djokovic on Friday continued his quest for a record seventh Australian Open crown by swatting aside French 28th seed Lucas Pouille 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 to set up a final against Rafael Nadal.
It was a flawless display on Rod Laver Arena by the world number one who moves into a first Melbourne decider since 2016.
"It is definitely one of the best matches I've ever had on this court, definitely," said Djokovic, who hit 24 winners and had just five unforced errors.
"You know, everything worked the way I imagined it before the match and even more so.
"Tough one for Lucas, but he had a great tournament, and I wish him all the best for the rest of the season," he added.
Djokovic lost in the fourth round last year, followed by elbow surgery and poor form until he won Wimbledon and turned his season around.
"It was highly unlikely 12 months ago that I would be where I am today, a year later," said the Serbian top seed.
"But I've said it before, and I always have plenty of belief in myself, and I think the self-belief is something that always prevails." Djokovic will face second seed Nadal in a 53rd career meeting and eighth in the final of a Slam.
In 2012 the pair contested the longest Grand Slam final in terms of time at the Australian Open when Djokovic edged an epic battle 7-5 in the fifth set after 5hr 53min.
Djokovic, in his 34th Grand Slam semi-final, took just 83 minutes to outclass his regular practice partner Pouille, who was appearing in his first.
Total control
The 14-time Grand Slam title winner was fresh because quarter-final opponent Kei Nishikori had quit after 51 minutes and he jumped all over the world number 31 right from the start.
Djokovic was in total control against the Frenchman who had needed more than three hours to see off Milos Raonic in the last eight.
The Serb ran Pouille ragged so effectively that he dished out a dreaded 6-0 "bagel" in a first set that lasted just 21 minutes.
Pouille held his first service game of the second set to a huge ovation from the centre court fans, but it was a brief respite as Djokovic, a picture of precision on serve and return, would not allow him any chance to get back into the match.
Pouille's coach Amelie Mauresmo, who won the Australian Open women's singles in 2006, could only look on helplessly as Djokovic broke at the next opportunity and raced to the second set.
On Thursday Nadal had allowed his young Greek opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas to win just six games on the way to the final in an hour and 46 minutes.
Djokovic made that look pedestrian, allowing Pouille only four games and taking 23 minutes less to reach his first Melbourne final since 2016, when he won his sixth title.
Nadal holds a 4-3 win-loss record against Djokovic in Grand Slam finals, including all three meetings since their Melbourne Park marathon seven years ago, and both players are chasing milestones on Sunday.
A win for Nadal will see him become the first player in the Open era to win all four Grand Slam titles twice, while victory for Djokovic will take him clear of six-time Melbourne winners Roger Federer and Roy Emerson.
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Muslim organisations express outrage over renewed sale of 'The Satanic Verses' in India
Lucknow (PTI): Some Muslim organisations have strongly condemned the renewed sale of Salman Rushdie's controversial book "The Satanic Verses" in India and appealed to the central government to reinstate the ban on it.
Rushdie's book has returned to Indian bookshelves, 36 years after it was banned by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1988. Currently, 'The Satanic Verses' is available at Bahrisons Booksellers in Delhi-NCR.
In November, the Delhi High Court closed proceedings on a plea challenging the Rajiv Gandhi government's ban on the book's import. The court stated that the failure of officials to present the relevant notification from October 5, 1988, led to the assumption that the notification did not exist.
Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor for the Uttar Pradesh unit of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (AM), expressed concern over the book's reappearance in India.
"If freedom of expression hurts someone's sentiments, it is a legal offence. 'The Satanic Verses' is a blasphemous book. Selling such a controversial book under the pretext of freedom of expression cannot be accepted in any form. It goes against the spirit of the Constitution," he told PTI.
Rashidi added, "The foundation of India's Constitution allows for freedom of expression, but it does not grant anyone the right to hurt sentiments. Resuming the sale of 'The Satanic Verses' is an attempt at provocation. It is the government's responsibility to stop this. If the government allows it, it would amount to shirking its constitutional duties."
He further remarked that Muslims regard Allah and the Prophet as dearer than their own lives and in such a scenario, the controversial book will never be tolerated.
"We urge the government to protect constitutional values and reinstate the ban on this book as it hurts the sentiments of a large section of the population. The government has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, and banning this book is its duty," he said.
A "limited stock" of the book has reportedly been available in Delhi's Bahrisons Booksellers in recent days. The content of the book and its author have faced massive backlash globally, with many Muslim organisations labelling it blasphemous.
Maulana Yasub Abbas, general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, also criticised the renewed availability of the book, stating, "There is talk of lifting the ban after 36 years. On behalf of the Shia Personal Law Board, I appeal to the Indian government to ensure the ban remains firmly in place."
"The book mocks Islamic views, insults Prophet Muhammad and his companions, and hurts sentiments. Allowing its sale poses a threat to the country's harmony. I urge the prime minister to impose a complete ban on this book in India," he said.
Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, said in a statement, "The ban on The Satanic Verses had expired. Now, some publishers are planning to reprint the book in India. Back in 1988, Rajiv Gandhi's government immediately banned it, but now preparations are underway to reintroduce it in India after the expiration of the ban."
"This book insults Islam, Prophet Muhammad, and several Islamic figures. Its content is so offensive that it cannot be repeated. Allowing this book in the market will disturb the nation's atmosphere. No Muslim can tolerate seeing this hateful book on any bookstore shelf," Razvi added.
He demanded that the central government reimpose the ban and warned of significant protests from the Muslim community if the book becomes widely available.
