MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Long before he set up what should be a pulsating fourth-round against Rafael Nadal, Nick Kyrgios had already commenced hostilities.

Australian legend Court - a devout Christian - has caused controversy for saying she doesn't believe gay people should be allowed to marry because the Bible does not condone it.

The Australian gave it his all in a spirited performance but went down 6-3 3-6 7-6 7-6 in four sets against the Spaniard in an emotion-charged showdown.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Court's uncompromising opinions on LGBT matters have made her a polarising figure and McEnroe became the latest high profile figure to attack her.

World No.1 Rafael Nadal jovially called out veteran tennis reporter Ubaldo Scanagatta, 70, during the post-match presser when he accidentally dozed off.

Italian chef Andrea Tranchero has dished out the exact meal Roger Federer eats before every game at the Australian Open - as he shares the 'match winning' recipe.

Australian-Italian chef Andrea Tranchero has dished out his very simple trick for plating up pasta like a professional - and it's a lot easier than you think.

Apple technician Harry Xin said he had a racist encounter watching the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Wednesday.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Given her story it is hardly surprising that Kenin, 21, exudes hunger. There are shades of her, on court, of Monica Seles and Maria Sharapova.

Fans were quick to vent following Human Nature's divisive performance at the Australian Open on Sunday night.

Novak Djokovic is facing the prospect of a hefty fine for twice tapping Damien Dumusois on the foot while remonstrating with the French official during his Australian Open win.

Upon spotting the children playing tennis in the streets without a net, the Serbian star decided to join them. saying afterwards: 'That's how we all started - I invoke these situations.'

TA chief and Open director Craig Tiley concedes the annual summer of tennis 'will be compromised' as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Neymar has admitted he will be supporting Brazil’s bitter rivals Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final. The injured superstar gave a press conference two days after his side were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the last four.

Luis Suarez's lawyer has condemned FIFA's punishment of the Uruguay striker for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini as 'draconian, totalitarian and fascist', and said an appeal will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

JEFF POWELL: If the third World Cup final between Argentina and Germany resembles the first, we are in for an entertaining evening on Sunday. If it is anything like the second final, four years later, we will be nodding off or turning over before the 9pm watershed.

Organisers expect around 100,000 Argentina fans to descend on Rio for the World Cup final on Sunday, most of them without a ticket.

Long-standing issues throughout the Brazilian game have led to disappointment in their home World Cup, according to Gilberto Silva.

Arjen Robben has revealed he turned down Louis van Gaal's advances after the outgoing Holland coach asked him to follow him to new club Manchester United.

What sets Germany apart is that they are in a constant state of self-evaluation, while never allowing the free pass of treating a World Cup as a dry run.

For plenty, the World Cup coming to an end is unwelcome after more than a month of explosive football on the biggest of stages.

NEIL ASHTON AT THE MARACANA: Germany have been regarded as the best prepared team at the tournament for some time: Best players, best training ground, best coach, best everything.

IAN LADYMAN AT THE MARACANA: Lionel Messi played well enough for 90 minutes, but when the defining chance came early in the second half he couldn’t take it.

David Beckham and his three boys were at the Maracana to take in the World Cup final on Sunday night - and there was no doubting which side they were supporting. Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz were all kitted out in Argentina shirts as they took on Germany for the greatest prize in world football.

Despite playing just five games at the World Cup, Colombia's star James Rodriguez won the Golden Boot with six goals.

Germany's World Cup-winning stars were letting their heroics at the Maracana sink in on Monday as they relaxed at their Rio de Janeiro hotel with their ultimate prize.

BRIAN BARWICK: This has been a hugely enjoyable World Cup for viewers and one that England’s early exit failed to diminish.

Gary Neville had barely digested his first breakfast under the new world order when he waded into an online debate with those who thought England should simply try to copy the way Germany produce footballers.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is targeting further glory with Germany after finally winning his first major trophy with the national side. Schweinsteiger had become used to just coming up short in major tournaments.

MARTIN SAMUEL AT THE MARACANA: The perfect team versus the perfect superstar that was the narrative here. On one side Die National Mannschaft, on the other Lionel Messi. Yet football has a way of confounding such expectation. Mario Gotze scored a team goal, true, but with a level of technique that would have won Messi the Golden Ball had it come from his foot.

The weekly paid seem to be the most vulnerable to losing a qualifying year. Should they register as unemployed or play class 3 contributions so they don't miss out?

Do I have the right to challenge the delay in forwarding the employees' contribution due to the detriment this may have to pension performance?

KIERAN GILL: Amanda Staveley could be about to become the new First Lady of Football. She is thought to have a personal fortune of £115m-plus, and is no stranger to the limelight.

Arturo Vidal is reportedly set to leave Barcelona this summer on the cheap, as his contract is set to expire in June 2021. Newcastle have emerged as contenders to sign the Chilean international.

EXCLUSIVE BY CRAIG HOPE: Mike Ashley was hours away from confirming the £300million sale of Newcastle United last week only for the Saudi owners in-waiting to insist on a delay.

The UK government have been urged by its own members to take an active role in scrutinising the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United following calls for the deal to be blocked.

A year has passed since the beheading of 37 Saudi men and still the families wait to receive the bodies. At the time, they did not even know their loved ones had been executed.

The Napoli centre-back has been heavily linked with long-term admirers Manchester United, but Newcastle are also reportedly preparing to make an offer to the Senegal international.

The Premier League asked the United States government to keep Saudi Arabia on its piracy watch list before beginning checks on Newcastle United's Saudi-led takeover.

First-team players are expected to return to training next week, providing Government's formal review and Premier League shareholders' meeting agree to finish the current campaign.

Matt Ritchie believes Newcastle team-mate Jonjo Shelvey could play for Barcelona 'if only his head was screwed on'. Shelvey, 28, has been capped six times by England.

The Magpies are the subject of a £300million takeover bid backed by Saudi's Public Investment Fund, and if that is ratified the club would become one of the richest in Europe.

LAWRENCE BOOTH: England conceded their highest total in 983 Tests stretching all the way back to March 1877. India’s 759 for seven beat the 751 for five by West Indies in Antigua in April 2004.

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: England’s win here means Pakistan still haven’t won a series in this country since 1996. But this was their third draw out of five in that time, including a thrilling 2-2 in 2016.

LAWRENCE BOOTH AT OLD TRAFFORD: Jos Buttler inspired England to a series whitewash after posting an unbeaten century in the final ODI against Australia on Sunday.

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN GALLE: England finished day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka on 321 for eight thanks to a brilliant debut innings from Ben Foakes. Here's the best of the action.

LAWRENCE BOOTH IN KANDY: England clinched a series victory over Sri Lanka on Sunday morning after taking the final three minutes in little over half an hour.

CRAIG HOPE IN COPENHAGEN: Christian Eriksen will find himself a marked man against Republic of Ireland on Friday night after angering his opponents last year.

Romelu Lukaku last night apologised to former manager Steve Clarke after putting Scotland to the sword in Brussels. The Manchester United superstar struck twice in a 3-0 win.

Romelu Lukaku netted a brace against Scotland on Tuesday night but he came under-fire on social media for failing to score from close range.