MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Defending singles champions perished at the US Open within 24 hours of each other, one departing to a cacophony of booing and the other to supportive cheers.

EXCLUSIVE: The world No 1, who retired from his fourth round match with a shoulder injury, spent the recent US Open with his own private hyperbaric chamber parked up next to Flushing Meadows.

Novak Djokovic made a successful return from a shoulder injury with victory over Alexei Popyrin in the opening round of the Japan Open. He had to retire from the US Open last month.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic has taken an innovative approach to training ahead of the Japan Open by stepping into the dohyo to face a sumo wrestler. 

Djokovic, who is attempting to win a title on his tournament debut for the 10th time, hit 10 aces and saved three of four break points, while showing no ill-effects from his recent shoulder injury.

Nadal's withdrawal could prove decisive in the battle to end the year as world number one, with Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals in Tokyo this week and due to defend his title in Shanghai.

The world No 1, competing in his first tournament since withdrawing from last month's US Open with a shoulder injury, secured a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Frenchman Lucas Pouille on Friday.

World number one Novak Djokovic secured his 76th tour-level title by beating John Millman in straight sets at the Japan Open.

Kevin Spacey stepped out for dinner in Belgrade on Tuesday, three months after a Massachusetts prosecutor dropped a groping case against him.

Djokovic, who had a bye into round two, took his record over Shapovalov to 3-0 and has now won 22 straight sets in Asia - dating back to his title in Shanghai last year and last week's Japan Open.

Novak Djokovic's semi-final streak in Shanghai is over. The defending champion, a four-time winner of the Masters had reached the semi-finals in all eight of his tournament appearances.

Rafael Nadal has been absent from the Shanghai Masters but is guaranteed to recapture the world No 1 spot next month after Novak Djokovic went down to a shock quarter final defeat in China .

Novak Djokovic has aimed a jibe at outgoing ATP chairman Chris Kermode as the Serbian tennis star welcomed new chairman Andrea Gaudenzi to the tennis organisation on Thursday.

Kyle Edmund continued his upturn in form with a straight-sets win over Diego Schwartzman at the Rolex Paris Masters to book a showdown with world number one Novak Djokovic.

British number three Kyle Edmund had posted back-to-back wins after arriving at the Rolex Paris Masters on an eight-match losing streak that stretched back to August.

The last great tennis player to emerge, incongruously, from an upbringing that took place largely in a mountainous ski area was one of the greatest ever: Novak Djokovic.

After beginning the week under the weather, Djokovic has looked stronger with each match and he was just too good for 20-year-old Shapovalov, appearing in his first Masters final.

Novak Djokovic proved he is every inch the doting father as he larked around with his two kids during an outing the local park on Wednesday afternoon.

Novak Djokovic helped Serbia make a fast start to their Davis Cup campaign with victory over Japan in Madrid. The world number two was unfazed by a sparse crowd on the central court.

With the tie coming down to a deciding doubles rubber, Djokovic was subbed in to partner Viktor Troicki against Khachanov and Rublev, but it was the Russians who came out on top 6-4 4-6 7-6 (8).

The Juventus forward posted a video to Instagram of himself and Djokovic attempting several run-ups and leaps as onlookers find it all rather amusing.

Novak Djokovic was forced to dig deep and lost his temper with the chair umpire and crowd in his 7-6(5) 7-6(6) win over Kevin Anderson to win a testing ATC Cup tie for Serbia in Brisbane.

MIKE DICKSON IN SYDNEY: The forthcoming Australian Open may see an unprecedented amount of matches indoors to combat poor air quality if the country's bushfires persist this month.

Djokovic, who has yet to drop a set at the tournament, beat Chile's Cristian Garin 6-3, 6-3 in Brisbane, while team-mate Dusan Lajovic won 6-2, 7-6, with Serbia set to travel to Sydney for the quarters.

Rally for Relief will take place at Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park on January 15 to raise money for bushfires that have killed 25 people and destroyed nearly 1,900 homes.

Novak Djokovic showed his class in the deciding rubber to take a 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 victory, and book a showdown against Spain or Australia in Sunday's showpiece.

MIKE DICKSON IN SYDNEY: It was gone 1am when Novak Djokovic fell into his team-mates' arms after starring in both the singles and doubles as Serbia came back to beat Spain 2-1.

Nadal - who lost the inaugural tournament's final singles rubber in straight sets to Novak Djokovic - complained to the umpire about fans of the Serbian star.

MIKE DICKSON IN SYDNEY: The abolition of deciding third sets to be replaced by elongated tiebreaks will be seriously considered by the ATP Cup after the events of this week.

Roger Federer has praised Australians for being a 'true inspiration' after the Open's Rally for Relief charity match raised nearly $5million for bushfire victims. 

MARTIN SAMUEL - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: The last team to win the Six Nations on the back of a losing Rugby World Cup final was - oh wait, sorry, there isn't one.

MIKE DICKSON: The tennis world has been thrown into a state of flux after the late cancellation of the first Masters level event of the year, at Indian Wells in California.

World No.1 Novak Djokovic's has expressed a reluctance to be given a vaccine for coronavirus, as world tennis works out the best way to get the show back on the road.

Jelena Djokovic, 33, shared a 10-minute video of an American physician which focuses on the conspiracy theory that 5G technology has played a role in creating the current global health crisis.

Novak Djokovic has been spotted in Marbella after returning to training on Monday amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

England face Switzerland in the Nations League third place play-off final after both sides were knocked out of contention to win. Find out KO time, channel, squads, predicted lineups and more here.

England manager Gareth Southgate plans to make some changes for Sunday's Nations League third-place play-off against Switzerland, with defender John Stones' role under scrutiny.

Jordan Pickford joked he is relieved to have escaped a Twitter battering after scoring his penalty in the UEFA Nations League shoot-out victory against Switzerland.

Shaqiri made himself unavailable for selection ahead of this month's Euro 2020 qualifiers, which started with Switzerland grabbing a 1-1 draw at Republic of Ireland on Thursday.

The Swiss FA revealed on Tuesday that they have been 'in contact with Granit' and insist 'his standing will not change' as captain of his country, despite his furious outburst towards Arsenal fans.

FC Sion fired Johan Djourou and eight other players after they either failed to respond to a WhatsApp message from club president Christian Constantin or refusing his offer of taking a pay cut.

Matchday four in La Liga saw Sevilla take Atletico Madrid's place at the top of La Liga, the former earning a hard-fought 1-0 win at Alaves while the latter succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at Real Sociedad. 

Luis Suarez finished that season as top goalscorer with 31 goals, but was forced to sit out this opening five matches as punishment for his assault on the Chelsea defender the season before.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Barcelona hope to unveil their new fantastic forward line to the world this week with Lionel Messi back to fitness and Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez already involved.

AC Milan will face off against their old rivals Inter Milan at the San Siro while Granada host Barcelona on Saturday evening. Sportsmail's SAM McEVOY will provide live coverage for both games.

Luis Suarez admits Barcelona have a 'tough year ahead of us' after a 2-0 defeat at Granada. Ramon Azeez and Alvaro Vadillo netted in either half as Granada moved top of La Liga.

The Spanish giants were defeated 2-0 away at Granada on Saturday night in La Liga through goals from Ramon Azeez and a penalty from Alvaro Vadillo and boss Ernesto Valverde feels responsible.

Barcelona legend Xavi believes he is perfectly capable returning to manage his former club, piling the pressure on current boss Ernesto Valverde. 

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Considering it happened almost five months ago it's amazing how often Barcelona's Liverpool nightmare gets mentioned by the club fans, players and directors.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Only four players in the club's history have scored more goals for Barcelona than Luis Suarez. That did not stop supporters whistling him off on Tuesday at Camp Nou.