Tuesday 19 January 2016

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Obama, Erdogan speak by phone, vow cooperation against terrorism

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ANKARA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday pledged continued cooperation in the fight against militants, including Islamic State and Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, the White House and Turkish presidential sources said.During his phone call to Erdogan, Obama offered his condolences for last weeks bombing in Istanbul, when 10 German tourists were killed in a suicide attack blamed on Islamic State, the White House and Turkish presidential sources said.Obama also condemned a recent string of attacks by the PKK against Turkish security forces, and he stressed the need for de-escalation, the White House said in a statement.The two leaders said the fight against terrorism would be among a number of topics on the agenda when U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visits Turkey on Saturday.NATO member Turkey, a member of the U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, has increasingly become a target for the Sunni Muslim militants.Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu blamed Islamic State for the bombing on Jan. 12 in Istanbuls historic heart. The suicide bomber is thought to have crossed recently from Syria.Islamic State is also believed to be behind other attacks last year in Turkey, including one in the capital Ankara in which more than 100 people were killed.Turkeys predominantly Kurdish southeast is currently engulfed in the worst violence since the 1990s after the collapse last July of a two-year-long ceasefire with PKK militants.Last week the PKK, deemed a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union as well as by Turkey, attacked a police station in a Diyarbakir district with a truck bomb, killing six people including a baby and two toddlers.

Libya unity government formed, UN urges support

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TRIPOLI (AFP) - A Libyan unity government was formed Tuesday under a UN-brokered deal aimed at ending years of bloodshed, but it was unclear whether the leaders have wide support from the warring sides.World powers are appealing to the countrys rival parliaments to back the new administration to break political paralysis that has provided fertile ground for jihadists and people-smugglers.But less than half of the members of the two parliaments signed up to the UN-sponsored agreement last month.The unity government, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, who was named prime minister-designate under the UN-sponsored accord, comprises 32 ministers, the administration announced on its Facebook page.Sarraj, a businessman in his 50s from the capital Tripoli, holds degrees in business management and architecture and was a member of a committee that paved the way to national dialogue in Libya.UN envoy Martin Kobler urged the countrys internationally recognised parliament, the House of Representatives, to promptly convene and endorse the unity government.Two-thirds of the legislature must approve the new administration within 10 days so that it can begin carrying out its work.There was no immediate reaction from the two parliaments.Libya has been in chaos since the 2011 ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.A militia alliance including Islamists overran Tripoli in August 2014, establishing its own government and parliament and causing the internationally recognised administration to flee to the countrys remote east.On December 17, under UN guidance, around 80 of 188 lawmakers from Libyas internationally recognised parliament and 50 of 136 members of the Tripoli-based General National Congress signed the unity government deal.Analysts say the unity government is unlikely to be quickly embraced by controversial army chief General Khalifa Haftar, who has already said he was unhappy with the UN deal.The main question is whether this government is supported by Haftar, said Mattia Toaldo of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Reading the name of the defence minister it seems not to be the case.The key defence portfolio was given to Colonel Al-Mahdi al-Barghathi, a prominent military figure who is popular in eastern Libya, from where he hails, and in the west where the GNC is based.Barghathi is seen as a rival of Haftar although they fought side by side in Operation Dignity, an offensive led by Haftar against Islamists in second city Benghazi.His selection to be defence minister could help to win the support of the GNC -- which opposes Haftar -- for the unity government, according to analysts.The name of the defence minister could be a game changer in shifting the position of some of the people in Tripoli, said Toaldo.Other key nominations are Al-Aref al-Khoja, as the next interior minister and Marwan Abusrewil as the future foreign minister.The power-sharing deal has been given added urgency by fears that the Islamic State jihadist group, under pressure in Syria and Iraq, is building a new stronghold on Europes doorstep.France and Italy urged the opposing parties Tuesday to seize the chance to bring stability to the country.European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Libya was at a critical juncture and urged all sides to endorse the unity government quickly.It is now for the House of Representatives and its presidency to show the same spirit of compromise and sense of leadership, and promptly convene to endorse the proposed cabinet, she said.Only a united Libyan government, supported by all its citizens, will be able to end political divisions, defeat terrorism, and address the numerous security, humanitarian and economic challenges the country faces, she added.British ambassador Peter Millet echoed Mogherini.Action against Daesh a priority, he said on Twitter, using an Arabic acronym for IS. The group first appeared in Libya in 2014 and has since claimed responsibility for beheadings and suicide bombings.It has established a stronghold in the coastal city of Sirte, Kadhafis hometown, and is reported to have at least 3,000 fighters in Libya.In recent weeks its fighters have pushed east towards the so-called oil crescent along Libyas northern coast, attacking oil facilities.

IS halves its jihadists' monthly salaries: monitor

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BEIRUT (AFP) - The Islamic State jihadist group has announced plans to halve the monthly salaries of its members in Syria and Iraq, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said Tuesday.The Britain-based monitoring group, which relies on a network of activists, medics, and fighters across Syria, published what it said was an IS statement announcing the cuts. Because of the exceptional circumstances that the Islamic State is passing through, a decision was taken to cut the salaries of the mujahedeen in half, the Arabic statement said.No one will be exempt from this decision no matter his position, but the distribution of food assistance will continue twice a month as usual, it said.IS has declared a self-styled caliphate across swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, imposing its harsh interpretation of Islamic law. According to Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman, the salary cuts meant Syrian IS fighters would see their salaries drop to about $200 from $400 per month.Foreign fighters, who were paid double the Syrian militants, would have their monthly income reduced to $400, Abdel Rahman told AFP.The jihadist group strives to show that it operates a full-fledged state, with government institutions, hospitals, and schools. The financial strain could be a result of intensified air strikes on its oil infrastructure in Syria and Iraq. A US-led coalition is conducting an air war on the group in both countries, and Russian warplanes are also targeting the jihadists in Syria.

At least 17 deadly swine flu cases reported in Russia

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MOSCOW (AFP) - At least 17 people have died of swine flu in Russia since last month, according to AFP calculations based on statements from regional health authorities, as the virus appears to gain ground in the country. Five people have died from the H1N1 virus in Saint Petersburg, the spokeswoman for local health authorities, Maria Khitarishvili, told AFP on Tuesday. Identification procedures for three other flu-related deaths have yet to be completed.Local authorities in Russias second-largest city said that 313 people had been hospitalised with the virus in the last 10 days. Four swine flu-related deaths were also recorded in the southern region of Rostov among the 120 reported cases of the virus in the area, authorities said Tuesday.These latest cases follow the deaths of four adults and one child from the virus in the nearby region of Dagestan, and the deaths of two infected patients in Yekaterinburg and the southern region of Adygea.State media reported another deadly case of the virus in the northern city of Novy Urengoy in mid-December. Top state doctor Anna Popova told Russian news agencies that the number of people infected with swine flu would inevitably grow next month. Three people have died of swine flu in Armenia since the start of the year, authorities of the Caucasian country said last week. Authorities in neighbouring Georgia said earlier this week that a first deadly case of the virus had been reported in the countrys west. In nearby Iran, swine flu has left 112 dead and forced the hospitalisation of more than 1,000 since mid-November, authorities said late last month.A major H1N1 outbreak sparked a World Health Organization pandemic alert in June 2009, after the virus emerged from Mexico and the United States.The outbreak killed around 18,500 people in 214 countries. The alert was lifted in August 2010.

Two more death row prisoners hanged

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Two death row prisoners were hanged on early Wednesday morning in the jails of Sahiwal and Jehlum, Dunya News reported. The dead bodies of the prisoners were handed over to their heirs.According to details, death row prisoner Anwar Khan was executed on the double murder charged in the Central Jail, Sahiwal. Anwar Khan had killed two people in 1993 over a land dispute.Another death row convict, Hakim, was hanged in the District Jail, Jehlum. Hakim was executed for killing his wife in 2004 over a family dispute.

Nawaz Sharifs brother-in-law passes away

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Mian Abdul Latif, brother-in-law of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, breathed his last in Lahore on early Wednesday morning, Dunya News reported.His funeral prayers will be offered at the Shadman Market Park in Lahore at 1:30pm today (Wednesday). Mian Abdul Latif was father of former MPA Mohsin Latif and brother of Begum Kalsom Nawaz.

Football: Ibrahimovic keeps PSG on treble track

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PARIS (AFP) - A late and controversial penalty converted by Zlatan Ibrahimovic sealed a 2-1 come from behind win as Paris Saint-Germain edged past Toulouse in the French Cup on Tuesday.Francois Moubandje had given Toulouse an 11th minute lead over a PSG missing several injured stars, but a David Luiz header from a corner on 54minutes and Ibrahimovics 21st goal of the season two minutes from time kept Paris on course to defend their domestic treble.But the big Swedes penalty was highly controversial as Leyvin Kurzawa threw himself theatrically to the ground in the box under minimal contact.However, Ibrahimovic was emphatic with his spot-kick and Toulouses hopes were dashed.If that happened at the other end, it wouldnt have been whistled, moaned Toulouse coach Dominique Arribage.Its difficult, when you referee Paris, to make the right decisions. I dont blame the referee.PSG also won 1-0 at Toulouse thanks to an Ibrahimovic strike on Saturday to take a 21-point lead in Ligue 1 over second-placed Monaco. And Toulouse must travel to Paris for yet another meeting with PSG in the League Cup semi-finals next week.PSG are now set to embark on a run of eight matches in little over three weeks before hosting Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on February 16.In the 88th minute I was a bit afraid wed have to play extra-time, PSG coach Laurent Blanc said after the game.We have to get through this month of January, which is difficult with this crazy schedule.Elsewhere, fourth division Sarre-Union caused the upset of the night by stunning second tier Niort 1-0.Second division Sochaux and Bourg-en-Bresse turned over top flight opponents away from home, respectively 2-1 at Bastia and 3-1 at Rennes.Meanwhile, Bordeaux won 2-1 at Angers while Corsicans Gazelec Ajaccio beat Guingamp 3-0.

Football: Inter recover form to eliminate Napoli

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ROME (AFP) - Inter Milan brushed off their poor league form to stun Serie A leaders Napoli 2-0 in the Italian Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night.Two defeats and just four points from their last four league matches have seen Inter lose command of Serie A and drop to third, four points behind Napoli.But goals from Stevan Jovetic and Adem Ljajic at the San Paolo stadium in Naples saw Inter through to the semi-finals, where they will face the winners of Wednesdays last quarter-final between Lazio and champions Juventus.Inters city rivals AC Milan will play third division Alessandria in the last four. The minnows won 2-1 at second tier Spezia on Monday night while Milan defeated Carpi last week by the same score.Tuesdays match was a tight affair, in part due to Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri leaving top scorer Gonzalo Higuain on the bench.Despite 20 goals in 20 games this season, the Argentina striker didnt enter the fray until the 72nd minute but just two minutes later, Inter struck.Montenegro international Jovetic, a summer signing from Manchester City, hit an unstoppable shot that left Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina rooted to the spot.Two minutes from time, Napoli had Dries Mertens dismissed and in time added on, Serbian Ljajic sprinted 50 yards to score the killer second on the counter-attack.That goal sparked a furious touchline altercation between Sarri and Inter boss Roberto Mancini.The semi-finals will be played over two legs on January 27 and March 2.

Football: Aston Villa set up FA Cup date with Man City

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LONDON (AFP) - Late goals by Ciaran Clark and Idrissa Gueye gave Premier League strugglers Aston Villa a 2-0 win over fourth-tier Wycombe Wanderers in their FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday.Bottom of the Premier League and seemingly destined for relegation to the Championship, Villa had only managed a 1-1 draw with Wycombe -- currently seventh in League Two -- when the two teams first met 10 days previously.The reunion at Villa Park proved a similarly close-fought affair, but Clarks 75th-minute header and a last-minute Gueye strike earned Villa a fourth-round tie at home to Manchester City.Villas fellow Premier League side West Bromwich Albion also secured a narrow victory, winning 1-0 at second-tier Bristol City.Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon scored the games only goal in the 52nd minute, chesting down Craig Dawsons cross and slotting home, to earn West Brom a home tie with third-division Peterborough United.Meanwhile, second-tier Milton Keynes Dons -- 4-0 winners against Manchester United in last seasons League Cup -- set up a home tie with Premier League champions Chelsea after beating Northampton Town 3-0 in their replay.

Football: Bale set for three weeks out with calf injury

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MADRID (AFP) - Real Madrids Welsh winger Gareth Bale has suffered a calf injury, the club confirmed on Tuesday, which could rule him out for three weeks.Bale limped off with what looked like the recurrence of the calf problem which has plagued him over the past two years, after scoring his 11th goal in eight games during Reals 5-1 rout of Sporting Gijon on Sunday.And tests carried out in Madrids Sanitas La Moraleja hospital on Tuesday confirmed a muscle injury in the right leg, the club said in a brief medical statement.Since December 2013 the 26-year-old has had five injuries to the same calf muscle.Real Madrid added that Bale was awaiting developments, but the Spanish press have reported he could be out for at least three weeks.The Welshman is likely to miss the games against Real Betis, Espanyol and Granada but could be fit for the league match with Athletic Bilbao on February 13 or against Roma in the Champions League on February 17.

Boxing: Pacquiao eyes fond farewell, looks forward to politics

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BEVERLY HILLS (AFP) - Manny Pacquiao said he is looking forward to swapping the boxing ring for the political arena on Tuesday as the countdown began towards his farewell fight with long-time American rival Timothey Bradley in April.Pacquiao, whose last bout was the money-spinning Fight of the Century with Floyd Mayweather last May, insisted he will hang up his gloves for good after the third and final instalment of his rivalry with Bradley. The 37-year-old eight-division world champion is planning to run for a seat in the Philippines senate later this year after already serving as a representative in the Asian countrys congress. Im so happy to be hanging up my gloves after this fight, Pacquiao told a press conference at the luxury Beverly Hills Hotel. Im sure I will feel sad but thats life. You cant keep on fighting all the time. But its time I think. I started out in boxing because I wanted to help my family, my mother. Now Im ending my boxing career because I want to help my countrymen, the Filipino people. Im ending because I want to serve the people.Bradleys WBO welterweight title will be on the line in the April 9 bout at Las Vegass MGM Grand in what is the third meeting of the two fighters. Bradley, (33-1-1, 13 KOs), won a highly controversial split decision against Pacquiao in their first meeting in 2012. Pacquiao then won their 2014 rematch in Las Vegas with a comfortable unanimous decision to end Bradleys undefeated record. The Filipino slugger (57-6-2, 38 KOs) said he is anticipating a sterner challenge from Bradley in their decisive bout. I chose Bradley again because hes different from before, Pacquiao said. Hes improved a lot. Bradley meanwhile also warned fans to expect a different fight to the previous two bouts. Ive heard that Manny Pacquiao chose me because he knows me, Bradley said. I think its different now. I honestly do. I think this will be a different fight than the first two altercations. Thats all I can tell you. Its going to be a great fight -- he wants it really badly and so do I.

Pakistan offers to host Saudi-Iran talks, PM says Iran in agreement

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TEHRAN (Dunya News/AFP) - Pakistan on Wednesday has offered to host talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resolve their differences. Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif stated that Iran was in agreement with this offer and Pakistan is waiting for the Saudis reply.PM Nawaz earlier on Tuesday met with Irans President Hassan Rouhani and top leadership of the country for talks aimed at easing tensions between the regional powersSharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Shareef flew into the Islamic republic of Iran from Saudi Arabia, where on Monday the PM expressed deep concern to King Salman over the diplomatic crisis.We wish to develop our relations and are opposed to any tension, as long as the rights of Muslims and the people of the region are respected and that the rules of diplomacy and politeness are respected, Rouhani told him, according to Irans official IRNA news agency.Sharif, according to a statement from the Iranian presidency, said that Pakistan always strives to diminish tensions between Muslim nations.He added that those behind terrorism and extremism take advantage of tensions between Muslim countries.PM Nawaz has alsodecided to appoint focal persons to further the peace process.Talking to the media after the meeting with President Rouhani, PM Nawaz said both Iran and Saudi Arabia have praised Pakistan’s efforts to mediate. He said Pakistan isn’t doing this as a favour but as a duty to the Muslim world.The Prime Minister said the peace process between the two brother Islamic countries is the top priority of Pakistan.He said Saudi Arabia would also be requested to appoint a focal person to be involved in the dialogue process.PM Nawaz and General Raheel Sharif also met with the Iranian Defence Minister where the Nawaz reiterated thatMuslim Ummah’s unity is the need of the time and that Pakistan is ready to play its role to ease the tensions between brotherly Muslim countries.Further Reading:PM, COAS meet Irans Defence MinisterSaudi Arabia and a number of its Arab allies cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early January, sending already tense relations between the rival nations to a new low.Riyadh reacted after protesters burned Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran after the kingdom on January 2 executed Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.He was among 47 people put to death in a single day for terrorism.The dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran has raised fears of greater regional instability and concerns for peace efforts in Syria and Yemen, where Saudi Arabia and Iran support opposing sides.Watch Video:

Athletics: IAAF appoint Garcia interim CEO

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MONACO (AFP) - World athletics governing body the IAAF on Tuesday appointed Frenchman Jean Gracia as their new interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO).The former athletes appointment follows a review of the scandal-hit bodys organisational structure following Sebastian Coes election as president last September.A shortlist of international candidates is being drawn-up and it is hoped that the IAAF will be in a position to make an appointment by the middle of the year, the IAAF said in a statement.Until that appointment is made, Jean Gracia has been appointed to support the day-to-day operations of the IAAF HQ in Monaco as the Interim CEO/General Secretary.Spanish-born Garcia, 60, is a former General Secretary of the French Athletics Federation and a current vice-president of European Athletics.He will act as the focal point for all our Member Federations and partners, and support me with work involving the Executive Board and Council, said Coe, adding that the new appointment brings vast experience and will assist the continued smooth running of the association in the interim. Since taking over from the disgraced Lamine Diack, Coe has had to battle through a scandal that has seen Russia banned over state-sponsored doping and a raft of top officials, including Diack, accused of taking bribes from doped athletes.

Tennis: Retiring Hewitt wins Grand Slam opener

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Retiring Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt faces a big test to keep alive his farewell Grand Slam campaign after winning his opening match on Tuesday.The two-time major winner and former world No.1 overcame young compatriot James Duckworth 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 6-4 in front of a full house at night on Rod Laver Arena in his last tournament.A cherished Australian Open triumph has eluded the 34-year-old warrior leading into this years 20th attempt after coming closest in 2005 when he went down in four sets to Russian Marat Safin in the final. Hewitts next obstacle is super-fit Spanish eighth seed David Ferrer, with the tenacious Aussie believing he has a chance to win through to the third round.Hes like a brick wall out there. He competes as well as anyone on tour as well. He moves great, Hewitt said of Ferrer.Hes been just under winning a Grand Slam as well making the final at the French. Hes made so many semi-finals of slams. Hes a tough customer for nearly anyone.But despite all that, the Australian veteran gives himself a chance of an upset.Yeah, I give myself a fighting chance. Its going to be tough, I know that, he said.But I feel like Im hitting the ball well enough to go out there and give him a good run.Hewitt avoided going out in his home Grand Slam in the first round as he has done seven times through his career, to the relief of his thousands of fans.I wouldnt say comfortable, he said of his first-round opponent Duckworth.Obviously that third set I had to dig deep and make a lot of balls to try to get back into it. He raised his game. I was kind of waiting for him to just dip off a little bit there in the third set. Eventually it happened.

Tennis: Nadal, Halep stunned as shocks rock Aussie Open

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MELBOURNE (AFP) - Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep went crashing out of the Australian Open first round on Tuesday as a dramatic day of upsets grabbed attention away from a match-fixing controversy which has left tennis reeling.Nadal suffered one of the worst Grand Slam results of his career as he was stunned by fellow Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco in a five-set thriller which recalled their epic 2009 semi-final.Halep, the womens world number two, soon followed him out in an almighty upset by Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai -- who wept freely as she won her first Grand Slam match in 15 attempts.While Haleps defeat to Zhang, the world number 133, came out of the blue, it was Nadals loss which created concern as the 14-time Grand Slam-winner increasingly looks a fading force.Nadal, 29, has only ever lost once before in a Grand Slam first round, at Wimbledon 2013, but he has not gone further than the quarter-finals at the majors since he won the 2014 French Open.Its tough, but at the same time, I know I did everything that I can to be ready for it, said Nadal, after 45th-ranked Verdascos 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 win in four hours, 41 minutes.Was not my day. Lets keep going. Thats the only thing. There is no more thing to do than keep practising hard, keep practising the same way that I was doing the last four, five months.The big upsets at least provided relief from match-fixing revelations which hit the start of the tournament after a report said top players had been under suspicion but never punished.In the latest developments, two more players said they had been targeted by match-fixers and Australian media reported that police were keeping a close eye on the tournaments first round. Andy Murray, a four-time finalist who is seeking his first title in Melbourne, dispatched Germanys Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 in hot conditions to move into the second round.Rising star Garbine Muguruza beat Estonian debutante Anett Kontaveit 6-0, 6-4 in one hour exactly -- and immediately set her sights on dethroning Serena Williams in the final.To win the Grand Slam here you are going to have to beat Serena (Williams). It will be great if I can play against her, said the confident Spanish world number three.Temperatures of 33 Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) took their toll and Diego Schwartzman was stretchered off after retiring in the fourth set against John Millman with cramps.While Murray and Muguruza motored through, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams suffered an early exit when she lost to British number one Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2.Williams, 35, was the oldest player in the womens draw but Konta said it would be silly to focus on the Americans age.I think its irrelevant how old she is because shes such a champion with so much experience and so much knowledge about the game, said Konta.Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt extended his farewell tournament into at least another match when he beat fellow Australian James Duckworth, setting up a clash with eighth seed David Ferrer.Milos Raonic, who is now working with Carlos Moya and beat Roger Federer in this months Brisbane final, breezed past Lucas Pouille and into the second round.Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka enjoyed one of the most one-sided wins of her career when she double-bagelled Alisan Van Uytvanck 6-0, 6-0 in just 53 minutes.But it was a different story for Gilles Muller, who came through four tie-breaks to beat Fabio Fognini, but not before the Italian showed flashes of his famous temper.Frances Jeremy Chardy had an even bigger struggle, winning the fifth-set 13-11 to finally overcome Ernests Gulbis after four hours and 43 minutes.
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