MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Two days before another dramatic US Open exit, Roger Federer was talking up the chances of him being competitive in the Grand Slams into his forties.

Rafael Nadal is taking nothing for granted as he bids to close in on Roger Federer's grand-slam record. Nadal is chasing a fourth US Open title which would move him to within one major win.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Rafael Nadal survived an opening set scare to power his way through to a 27th Grand Slam final, defeating Matteo Berrettini in straight sets.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Men's tennis will get a taste both of its glorious recent past and uncertain future in Sunday's final of the US Open.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Nadal denied Medvedev one of the greatest comebacks when he finally forged a 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 victory that took a breathless four hours and 51 minutes.

Nadal won his 19th major title in dramatic fashion after holding off a remarkable comeback from Russian Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's US Open final - he is now one off Roger Federer's record.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has told club members of his plan to host the event as he looks to smash the sport's attendance record.

Every sports fan loves a good stat. And Steve Smith's achievements this summer got us discussing the best  stats across a number of sports... here are some of the best we came up with.

MIKE DICKSON IN GENEVA: Roger Federer admitted on Thursday that he and Rafael Nadal have not discussed the Spaniard breathing down his neck in the Grand Slam race.

MIKE DICKSON IN GENEVA: Not even a ticking off from Federer and Nadal could save Fabio Fognini from an embarrassing defeat that levelled up the opening stages of the Laver Cup.

MIKE DICKSON IN GENEVA: Nick Kyrgios's ability to challenge the world's best three players forced Roger Federer to dig deep in order to avoid defeat in front of his adoring public.

The controversial 24-year-old was unable to hold off a rousing comeback from the Swiss great in Geneva, eventually being downed 6-7(5), 7-5, 10-7 after one hour and 51 minutes.

HOT OR NOT: It's Hot or Not time again as Sportsmail's Riath Al-Samarrai reveals what's been making him feel warm and what's been leaving him cold this week.

Novak Djokovic is on course to defend his Shanghai Masters title after beating John Isner 7-5 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals. The world number one won the Japan Open last week.

Roger Federer has won his hometown Swiss Indoors title for the 10th time by emphatically beating Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-2 in Basel. The Swiss' first appearance in the tournament was in 2000.

MIKE DICKSON IN PARIS: Rafael Nadal is already assured of returning to the world No 1 spot next week, but that did not stop him restricting his honeymoon to just one day.

Rafa Nadal dethroned Serbia's Novak Djokovic to reclaim the number one spot in the ATP rankings on Monday following the Spaniard's semi-final run at the Paris Masters.

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have been drawn in the same group for the ATP Finals in London. The pair will do battle in the Bjorn Borg group at the O2 Arena.

Roger Federer got his ATP Finals campaign back on track with a straight-sets win over Matteo Berrettini at London's 02. The 38-year-old was beaten in his opening round-robin match by Dominic Thiem,

MIKE DICKSON AT THE O2 ARENA: Perhaps nothing will ever make up for Wimbledon this summer, but on Thursday, Roger Federer got some consolation by beating Novak Djokovic.

On Saturday afternoon, following his remarkable takedown of Novak Djokovic on Thursday night, he will play in the last four of the ATP Finals before another adoring crowd at the 02 Arena.

At teatime on Friday Rafael Nadal was being feted at the 02 Arena with the presentation of the year-end world number one trophy.

Roger Federer won his last Grand Slam in January 2018 when he claimed his sixth Australian Open but the Swiss has won seven ATP titles since then, taking his career tally to 103.

Roger Federer is to become the first living Swiss to have a coin minted in their honour, with a commemorative 20 franc (£16) silver piece bearing his image being issued in January.

John Bercow has wasted no time in launching a media and public speaking career since he stepped down from the Speaker's Chair on October 31. He did not seek re-election as an MP.

He's not known for being a bad sport, but tennis ace Novak Djokovic flipped a table at comedian Andy Lee out of frustration on Monday.

Last week Greta Thunberg retweeted a post calling the tennis player out on the sponsorship. Federer then released a statement this weekend saying he takes the threat of climate change very seriously.

Italian chef Andrea Tranchero, who's based in Sydney, has dished out the five ingredients every household should avoid, including ketchup, frozen vegetables and margarine.

Six-year-old Ethan Lax has caught the attention of professional tennis player Sloane Stephens after he was filmed serving one-handed backhands on the tennis court. Some have compared him to Federer.

Tennis star Roger Federer and his wife Mirka have donated one million Swiss Francs (£862,000) to 'vulnerable families in Switzerland' due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Dylan Alcott and Chantelle Otten have revealed intimate details about their sex life on the Paralympian's podcast with Angus O'Loughlin, ListenABLE.

Dylan Alcott and and his girlfriend Chantelle Otten had a night of beauty therapy on Monday, and gave their fans an insight into their private lives in the process. 

Bolton Wanderers could lose prized asset Luca Connell for as little as £240,000 if the teenage star, who can play in defence or midfield, decides to move to a team outside of England.

Celtic are the only club to have made an offer for Bolton teen star Luca Connell. Sportsmail understands that while there is considerable interest in the 18-year-old, Celtic a

The three teams who dropped out of the Championship last season will all play away on the opening day in League One, after the 2019-20 fixture list was revealed on Thursday.

The 38-year-old, who retired from playing in 2018, is said to be one of multiple players prepared to join Dutch businessman Rob Jansen in a project to takeover an EFL side.

Wanderers, who are currently in administration after years of financial difficulties,  on Saturday accepted around £350,000 in compensation from the Scottish champions for 18-year-old Connell

Bolton's joint administrator has confirmed a 'heads of terms' agreement has been signed with the preferred bidder as the club edges closer to being sold. Wanderers were relegated last season.

GRAEME CROSER IN AUSTRIA: Neil Lennon backed £7million defender Christopher Jullien to make an instant impact at Celtic and then challenged fellow new boy Luca Connell to do the same.

According to The Sun, Rodrigo now wants to test himself in England's top flight again which has put a number of Premier League clubs on red alert. The forward started his senior career while at Bolton.

Wanderers have been searching for a new buyer and saw a takeover bid by former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini collapse in May.

Sam Allardyce wants to return to management but only at a club that has ambitions of success in the Premier League. He has been out of work since leaving Everton at the end of the 2017-18 season.

Bassini has not given hope of completing his takeover of the cash-strapped club, despite seeing it collapse in May, leading to Wanderers entering administration.

Khan, who has just come off a £7million payday after beating Billy Dib last week, revealed at a press conference at his gym that the blockbuster fight will take place in Saudi Arabia, according to talkSPORT.

Only seven players remain contracted to the League One club, who have been placed into administration, and they released a joint statement explaining their decision - including unpaid wages.

The match was due to be played on July 27 but with Oldham now pulling the plug, it has left Phil Parkinson's without a single pre-season match ahead of the new term.

Former England Under-21 striker Marvin Sordell has described football as 'a beautiful game with an ugly persona' after citing his mental wellbeing as a big factor behind his decision to retire aged 28.

EXCLUSIVE: A row over payments to departed players is holding up Bolton's takeover - and plunging the club's future into further doubt. The club have been given a deadline of 5pm TODAY.

Newcastle have signed former Chelsea midfielder Kyle Scott and ex-Bolton goalkeeper Jake Turner. They become the club's second and third arrivals after the £40m capture of Joelinton.

EXCLUSIVE: The future of Bolton Wanderers is close to being secured - thanks to a £2m loan from the Professional Footballers' Association. The club have been in administration since May 13.