United News of Bangladesh

Carlos Alcaraz said he wanted another shot at Novak Djokovic. Said it would make winning a Wimbledon championship more special. Well, Alcaraz got his chance to face Djokovic. And he beat him. Alcaraz put aside a poor start and surged down the stretch to end Djokovic's 34-match winning streak at the All England Club by edging him 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in an engaging, back-and-forth final on Sunday, claiming his first title at Wimbledon and second Grand Slam trophy overall. The No. 1-ranked Alcaraz prevented No. 2 Djokovic from collecting what would have been a record-tying eighth title, and fifth in a row, at the grass-court tournament. Djokovic also was kept from earning a 24th career major. “Playing a final against a legend of our sport — for me, it’s incredible,” said Alcaraz, who was competing in just his fourth career event on grass. “I have to congratulate Novak. It’s amazing to play against him. What can I say about him? It’s unbelievable. You inspire me a lot. I started playing tennis watching you,” Alcaraz said, then joked: “I mean, since I was born, you already were winning tournaments.” That's not exactly accurate. Still, instead of Djokovic, a 36-year-old from Serbia, becoming the oldest male champion at Wimbledon in the Open era, Alcaraz, a 20-year-old from Spain, became the third-youngest. The age gap between the two was the widest in any men’s Slam final since 1974. So Alcaraz had youth on his side, which he also did, of course, when they met at the French Open last month. That one was extraordinary for two sets before Alcaraz cramped up and faded. This time, he had the stamina and the strokes to get past Djokovic. “You never like to lose matches like this. I guess when all the emotions are settled, I have to still be very grateful because I won many, many tight and close matches in the past here,” said Djokovic, whose last loss at Wimbledon was in 2017. Read: At Wimbledon, Jabeur 1st woman from Africa in pro Slam final “I lost to a better player,” said Djokovic, who paused to wipe away tears, “so I have to congratulate him.” Alcaraz is faster and capable of more power — serves topping 130 mph, forehands topping 100 mph — but Djokovic is equipped with an abundance of talents and so much muscle memory. He’s been there, and done that, in ways Alcaraz, for now, can only dream of. But if this victory on a windy and cloudy day at Centre Court, where Djokovic last lost in the 2013 final, was any indication, Alcaraz is on his way to achieving quite a bit himself. Still, this is all relatively new to him: Djokovic’s record 35th Grand Slam final was Alcaraz’s second. Yet it was Alcaraz who won a 32-point, 25-minute mini-masterpiece of a game on the way to taking the third set. It was Alcaraz who was not intimidated when Djokovic forced things to a fifth set. And it was Alcaraz who moved out front for good by breaking to go up 2-1 in the fifth with a backhand passing winner. Djokovic, who fell during the point but quickly popped back up, reacted by slamming his racket into the net post, letting go on impact. He destroyed his equipment and earned a code violation from chair umpire Fergus Murphy. They would play on for another 24 minutes, bringing the total to more than 4 1/2 hours, but Alcaraz never relented, never gave way. And it was Alcaraz, not Djokovic, who covered his face and rolled in the grass after the final point, then received the gold trophy. “What quality in the end of the match,” Djokovic told Alcaraz during the post-match ceremony. “You deserve it, absolutely.” Alcaraz possesses a sledgehammer of a forehand, one he unleashes in such a manner as to make an observer believe every ounce of strength, indeed every fiber of his being, is invested in each swing. The smack of the racket, and his “Uhhh-ehhh!” exhale of exertion — along with the gasps of impressed onlookers — reverberated around the arena on Sunday. That’s not to say, of course, that Alcaraz’s attributes end at that big forehand. He is so much more than that, displaying as varied an all-court game as possible, which is why stardom is predicted of him. He does everything well, including well-disguised drop shots that helped him get back into the thick of it in the second and third sets. Djokovic, of course, already has achieved greatness, spending more weeks at No. 1 than any man or woman in the half-century history of the computerized rankings and accumulating those 23 Grand Slam triumphs — one more than Rafael Nadal and three more than Roger Federer, the only man with eight Wimbledon titles. So often on Sunday, Djokovic would hustle and stretch and slide nearly into the splits to get Alcaraz’s apparent point-ending shots back over the net in ways no one else could. Read: Djokovic 2 sets down, rallies for 26th straight at Wimbledon Things began to shift, though, at 4-all in the second set. Djokovic slipped on a worn patch behind the baseline under the Royal Box, flinging his racket away as he fell. At the next changeover, Djokovic flexed one leg by bending it over the other. Before heading back on court to resume play, he plopped his left heel on the net for additional stretching. Soon, his legs were not providing quite the same coverage they had been, the force of his forehand was reduced. They would head to a tiebreaker, Djokovic’s dominion: He had won all six such set-enders he played at Wimbledon leading up to the final, and 15 straight in Grand Slam action, dating to the Australian Open. This time, Djokovic had a set point while ahead 6-5 in the tiebreaker, sparking the day’s first chants of his two-syllable nickname from his backers: “No-le! No-le!” But he put a backhand into the net to make it 6-all, and as the players switched sides, a competing chorus of “Car-los! Car-los!” emerged. Another backhand into the net from Djokovic put Alcaraz within a point of the set. He converted by striking a backhand passing winner off the return of a 118 mph serve, then held the pose of his follow-through. As people in the stands rose to roar, Alcaraz spun around with his right hand to his ear, soaking in the moment. Two hours and two sets in. One set each. Now it was a match. Now this began to feel memorable. The fifth game of the third set might have been worth the high price of admission, in and of itself. Neither man wanted to bend. Neither wanted to cede a thing. It was one game, yes, but it felt far more meaningful than that. Read: Wimbledon wild-card entry steals set, not win, from Djokovic When Djokovic slapped a forehand into net to give Alcaraz a break — one of five in the match, more than the three combined that Djokovic’s previous six opponents managed across 103 service games over the past two weeks — and a 4-1 edge in the set, the Spaniard threw his head back and screamed, “Vamos!” Djokovic headed to the locker room with a white equipment bag slung over his right shoulder. He’s used these sorts of intermissions to gather himself and shift momentum and, sure enough, he pushed this terrific match to a fifth set. One of several reasons to like Djokovic’s chances at that juncture: He went into Sunday with a 10-1 record in five-setters at Wimbledon and 35-9 at all majors. Those matches, however, were in the past. Alcaraz is the future. “I’ve learned really, really fast,” said Alcaraz, who got a hug from Spain's King Felipe VI afterward, "and I’m really, really proud.”  

Mohammad Faisal Ahmed of Bangladesh Army emerged as champion in the men’s group of the Sheikh Russell 19th National Long Distance Swimming’2023 held in the river Gomati of Cumilla District on Wednesday. The 10-kilometre men’s competition began on Wednesday at 10:30 am from Kongshawnagar area of Burichong Upazilla of Cumilla and concluded at Dabidwar Upazilla of the district. Also read: Asia Cup Cricket 2023: Analysis of Group A Faisal Ahmed covered the men’s 10-kilometre distance with a timing of one hour, 39 minutes and 45 seconds to clinch the first prize. Sonia Akter Tumpa of Bangladesh Navy clinched the women’s title of the meet covering the women’s 8-kilometer distance with a timing of 1 hour 13 minutes and 20 seconds to win the top slot. Also read: 2022 Football Year Review: A Flashback of the Major Events President of Bangladesh Swimming Federation and Chief of Bangladesh Navy Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal witnessed the competition as the chief guest and later he distributed the prizes at the closing ceremony held at the ABM Golam Mostafa Stadium in Debidwar Upazila. Also read: Asian Continental Chess: Bangladesh GM Enamul Hossain Razib finishes 25th Parliament member of Comilla-4 constituency Razi Mohammad Fakhrul was the special guest at the day’s closing function, presided by Deputy Commissioner of Comilla District Mohammad Shamim Alam.

Fide Master Mehdi Hasan Parag of Bangladesh shared the top slot with two other players in the Open Category of the South Asian Chess Council Chess Championships that began today (Wednesday) in Kathmandu, Nepal. In the Open Category, Bangladeshi FM Parag topped the points table with India's IM Mohammad Nubairshah Shaikh and Nepal's Silwal Purushottam securing full two points each after the 2nd round matches. Also read:Asian Chess: IM Fahad Rahman beat Kuziev Miraziz of Uzbekistan in 6th round. On the other hand, WFM Wadifa Ahmed of Bangladesh made a good start in the Women’s Category of the meet beating her Nepalese rival Riya Shrestha in the day’s first round match. The first and second round matches of the open division and the first round matches of the women's division were held on Wednesday. Also read: Asian Continental Chess: Bangladesh GM Enamul Hossain Razib finishes 25th FM Mehdi Hasan Parag beat Subir Lama of Nepal in the first round of the Open Division while Bangladeshi FM Mohammed Abdul Malek lost to FM Rupes Jaiswal of Nepal FM Mehdi Hasan Parag defeated his compatriot FM Mohammed Abdul Malek in the second round game. WCM Jannatul Ferdous lost to Gurang Sushila of Nepal in the first round match of the Women's Category. A total of 10 players including one Grand Master, one International Master and five Fide Masters from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan are taking part in the Open Category while 7 players from Bangladesh, India and Nepal are participating in the Women's Category. Also read: Hanoi GM Chess: Bangladeshi IM Fahad settles for draw with Jagadeesh of Singapore The competitions are being played on round robin league format.

Bangladeshi Grand Master Enamul Hossain Razib finished 25th in the open section of the Asian Continental Chess Championships-2023 concluded on Sunday in Almaty, Kazakhstan. IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh became 43rd. GM Enamul Hossain Razib scored 5 points while IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman scored 4.5 points after the day's 9th and final round. Read: Bangladesh booters will play Tiffy Army FC in lone practice match in Cambodia on Monday In the women's category, WFM Noshin Anjum finished 27th with 4 points from 9 games. In the day's 9th and final round, GM Enamul Hossain Razib drew with GM Kazhgaleyev Murtas of Kazakhstan while IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman lost to FM Mamedov Edgar of Kazakhstan in the final round of open division. In the women's category, WFM Noshin Anjum drew with WFM Ovezdurdyyeva Jemal of Turkmenistan. In the open category, GM Vokhidov Shamsuddin of Uzbekistan became the unbeaten champion with 7 points while in the women's category, Indian WFM Divya Deshmukh became the undefeated champion with 7.5 points. Read: Messi’s move to Inter Miami: Debut, Contract, Salary and more in MLS A total of 88 players including 16 Grand Masters, 22 International Masters and 14 Fide Masters from 17 countries participated in the Open category and in all 39 players from 13 countries including 6 Women Grand Masters, 4 International Masters, 9 International Women Masters, 1 Fide Master and 5 Women Fide Masters participated in the Women’s Category. Read: Mission completed: Man City beats Inter Milan to end wait for first Champions League title

Bangladesh team clinched bronze medal in the men's recurve team events of the 2023 Archery Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament, Stage -3 beating Australia by 5-4 sets in Singapore on Saturday (June 10, 2023). Bangladesh recurve team consists of Sagor Islam, Hakim Ahmed Rubel and Ram Krishna Saha played 4-4 draw with their Australian rivals in the first stage. REad: Asian Chess: IM Fahad Rahman beat Kuziev Miraziz of Uzbekistan in 6th round. Later in the tie breaker, Bangladesh beat Australia by 29-27 score to win the bronze medal. China win the event's gold medal while India took the silver medal in the event of the Asian meet, participated by 26 countries. A 15- member Bangladesh National Archery team participated in the Archery Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament, Stage-3 concluded on Saturday in Singapore. Read: Jr Asia Cup Hockey: Bangladesh eliminated in group stage Members of Bangladesh Archery team are: Archers: Hakim Ahmed Rubel, Sagor Islam, Ram Krishna Saha ( Recurve Men's), Diya Siddiqui, Joyti Rani, Shima Akhter Shimu (Recurve Women's), Mohammad Ashiquzzaman, Newaj Ahmed Rakib, Sohel Rana (Compound Men's), Bonnya Akhter, Shymoli Rai and Puspita Zaman (Compound Women's) Read: DRU Shooting: Rumel Khan emerges men's, Nadia Sharmin women's champions

International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh beat Kuziev Miraziz of Uzbekistan in the 6th round open division match of the Asian Continental Chess Championships-2023 now being held in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Thursday With the day's feat, Fahad topped the list among the Bangladeshi players scoring 4 points from six matches. Read: Asian Chess: GM Enamul Hossain Razib beat Indian IM Prraneeth Vuppala in 4th round After the day's 6th round matches, Bangladesh Grandmaster Enamul Hossain Razib followed Fahad bagging 3.5 points while WFM Noshin Anjum secured 2.5 points in women’s section. In the other 6th round matches, GM Enamul Hossain Razib drew with GM Makhnev Denis of Kazakhstan while the women's category, WFM Noshin Anjum lost to IM Nisha Mohota of India. Read: National Jr Chess: Fahad Rahman takes solo lead in Open Section    

Grand Master Enamul Hossain Razib of Bangladesh beat Indian IM Prraneeth Vuppala in the 4th round Open Division match of the Asian Continental Chess Championships 2023 held in Almaty of Kazakhstan Tuesday afternoon. Earlier in the 3rd round match on Tuesday morning, Razib drew with Indonesian GM Megaranto Susanto in the Open Division. Also read: National Jr Chess: Fahad Rahman takes solo lead in Open Section After the day's 4th round matches, Razib scored 3 points, International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh earned 2 points (three matches) while WFM Noshin Anjum scored 1.5 points from four matches. In the day's other 3rd round matches, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh won against CM Smirnov Mark of Kazakhstan while in the women's category, WFM Noshin Anjum drew with Weng Yu-Hsin of Chinese Taipei. Also read: Inter-Bank Chess Championship prize distribution ceremony Tuesday The 4th round games of both the divisions began today (Tuesday) from 5 pm Bangladesh time. In the day's 4th round, WFM Noshin drew with Ospanova Adelya of Kazakhstan (women’s section) while IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman playing against FM Nurgaliyev Sauat of Kazakhstan till last report received, apart from GM Enamul Hossain Razib's victory over Indian IM Prraneeth Vuppala. Also read: Sheikh Kamal Chess: 3 players share top spot

International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh lost the second round open division match of the Asian Continental Chess to Grandmaster Jumabayev Rinat of Kazakhstan held in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Monday.In the day's second-round match, IM Fahad played with white pieces and lost to GM Rinat after 48 moves in the Queen's Gambit Declined style game. Also read: Inter-Bank Chess Championship prize distribution ceremony TuesdayBut, the Bangladeshi Grandmaster Enamul Hossain Razib returned to a winning run beating FM Ilkhomi Jaloliddin of Tajikistan in the day's other second round while WFM Noshin Anjum drew with Madi Aidana of Kazakhstan in her second round. Also read: Asian Zonal Chess: IM Fahad Rahman emerges unbeaten champions in open sectionAfter the day's second round, GM Enamul Hossain Razib got one and a half points, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman got one point in the open section and WFM Noshin Anjum got half a point in the women's section. Also read:Hanoi GM Chess: IM Fahad of Bangladesh maintains solo leadThe third round of both divisions will be held on Tuesday at 10 am Bangladesh time.

 A 15- member Bangladesh National Archery team left the capital for Singapore on Sunday (June 4) to participate in the Archery Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament, Stage-3 beginning there on Monday. Members of Bangladesh team are: Archers: Hakim Ahmed Rubel, Sagor Islam, Ram Krishna Saha ( Recurve Men's), Diya Siddiqui, Joyti Rani, Shima Akhter Shimu (Recurve Women's), Mohammad Ashiquzzaman, Newaj Ahmed Rakib, Sohel Rana (Compound Men's), Bonnya Akhter, Shymoli Rai and Puspita Zaman (Compound Women's) Team Officials: Subroto Majumder Dollar ( Team Manager), Martin Frederick (Head Coach) and Mohammad Hasan (Trainer)  

International Master Mohammad Fahad Rahman of Bangladesh earned 4 points after the 6th round matches of the Hanoi Grand Masters Chess Competition-3 held in Hanoi, Vietnam on Thursday. The 5th and 6th round matches were held on Thursday morning and afternoon sessions. In the day's 5th round match in the morning, IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman defeated FM Ngo Duc Tri of Vietnam. IM Fahad played with white pieces against FM Ngo Duc Tri in Queen’s Gambit Declined games and best his opponent after 33 moves. But, in the 6th round match, IM Fahad lost to CM Soham Kamotra of India in the afternoon. IM Fahad lost after 36 moves against CM Soham’s Caro-Kann defense system. The 7th and 8th round matches will be held on Friday. In the 7th round, IM Fahad will play against CM Wong Zhenyond Jayden of Singapore and in the 8th round IM Fahad will play against IM Tran Minh Thang.