LONDON- - If records were kept for standing ovations received in a match Alastair Cook would top that list too after a fairytale day at the Oval in which he engraved his 291st and last test innings with a sublime century.

NEW YORK- - Naomi Osaka became Japan's first Grand Slam singles champion by thumping Serena Williams 6-2 6-4 in a controversial U.S. Open final on Saturday in which the American suffering a mesmerising meltdown after being given a code violation.

PARIS- - France striker Olivier Giroud ended a run of 10 international games without a goal by netting a stunning winner as the world champions claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in their Nations League clash on Sunday.
The night started with a rousing rendition of La Marseillaise as France played their first home fixture since lifting the World Cup in July, and ended with a comfortable victory for the hosts at the Stade de France.

NEW YORK- - A weary and wounded world number one Rafael Nadal retired from his U.S. Open semi-final while trailing Juan Martin del Potro 7-6(3) 6-2 on Friday, sending the Argentine back to the Flushing Meadows final for the first time since his 2009 triumph.