2014 has seen another 12 months of tantalising sporting action. Sportsmail have captured these historic moments step-by-step through our own brilliant photography team.

Louis Smith will represent Great Britain for the first time since his double Olympic medal-winning performance at London 2012 after being named in the squad for the European Championships.

Lucy Mecklenburgh decided to keep busy by continuing with her relentless workout regime on Thursday.

The loved-up couple celebrated their first year anniversary of bliss as they rung in the New Year together during an idyllic getaway in Thailand this week.

MARTHA KELNER IN RIO: It is a sign of how far gymnastics in Britain has advanced that an Olympic medal was expected when the men's team took to the competition floor in Rio on Monday night.

Virgin Trains has apologised after it was claimed that a staff member challenged only Olympic star Louis Smith and another black passenger about their first class tickets.

KIERAN GILL ON COURT 2: The 29-year-old from Japan is the leading contender should a name other than Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer be engraved on the trophy this Sunday.

Novak Djokovic's title defence at Wimbledon is still yet to come under serious threat as he eased into the last eight for the 11th time on Monday with a comfortable win over Ugo Humbert.

MATTHEW LAMBERT AT WIMBLEDON: Roberto Bautista Agut will meet Novak Djokovic in the first Grand Slam final of his career after beating Argentina's Guido Pella 7-5, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

The Russian was a 7-6 (3), 6-4 winner in one hour 39 minutes and has guaranteed his place in the world's top five in next week's new ATP rankings. Medvedev stormed into a 4-1 lead against Goffin.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

She's known for her daring sense of style.

Iggy Azalea has defended her 'sickening' In My Defense album artwork.

Iggy Azalea opened up about being bullied in high school and spending time at a mental health retreat. 

She's a fashion chameleon known to change her style from one week to the next.

She changed her Twitter name to 'IGGY AZALEA stream señorita,' and her profile photo to one of Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, as their single currently sits just below Truth Hurts at No. 2.

Iggy Azalea has been slammed by her own fans for delaying the release of her new album a second time.

Iggy Azalea was seen out in Berlin as she checked out of her hotel on her way home. It was reported this week that she had a $35K diamond ring stolen from her home, among $366K in stolen jewelry.

Iggy Azalea's highly anticipated EP finally came out on December 1, more than two weeks after its expected release date. It was a long time coming for frustrated fans of the 29-year-old rapper.

She split from boyfriend Playboi Carti after one year of dating. And on Wednesday, Iggy Azalea was spotted enjoying a shopping spree at JFK airport in New York City upon her arrival to NYC.

She famously claimed she had 'no connection' to Australia, despite being born in Sydney and raised in Mullumbimby, NSW. 

Iggy Azalea is currently under lockdown amid the coronavirus outbreak and she's been vocal about how bored she is. 

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.

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde felt his side's improvement in the final third was the reason behind their comeback win over Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Inter went ahead in the opening minutes thanks to Lautaro Martinez's strike but Suarez scored twice in the second half for Barcelona to seal their first victory in this season's Champions League.

Fans have lauded the genius of Lionel Messi after the Barcelona star displayed his selflessness in laying the ball onto team-mate Luis Suarez in Saturday's La Liga win over Eibar.

Griezmann opened the scoring after 13 minutes as the Catalan club were put under severe pressure during the first half before the trio combined in the second period to seal a 3-0 victory

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: It's no secret that Ernesto Valverde is in his final season as Barcelona coach - waiting to be replaced by Ronald Koeman or Erik ten Hag or Marcelo Gallardo.

The Reds captain had just made his £20m move to Anfield from Sunderland in 2011 but at just 20-years-old was still finding his feet in the top flight despite excellent performances for the Black Cats.

Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann could barely pass to each other in the early days of their partnership - but things finally began to click under the Champions League lights on Wednesday. 

Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde talked up the importance of having Lionel Messi in his side after the forward netted the winner in the 1-0 victory at Atletico Madrid.

Luis Suarez has dismissed any notion that his Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is planning on winding down any time soon after picking up a sixth Ballon d'Or this week.

Lionel Messi eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 34 La Liga hat-tricks on a night when Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann were also on the scoresheet against Mallorca at the Nou Camp.