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: 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.

Dividend cuts are an inevitable consequence of the economy - both here and worldwide - sliding into recession in the coming months.

While mini-bonds are not normally protected, B&G used a regulated company to drum up clients and raise money, which means investors who poured money in that way could be entitled to a payout.

A Gas Generation Strategy published alongside the Autumn Statement confirmed the establishment of an Office for Unconventional Gas and Oil.

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility admitted it expects a £400million shortfall in the Government's coffers, after predicting the bank levy would raise £2.2billion in March's Budget.

Treasury sources said the Chancellor will have to ‘make a decision’ on what to do about business rate relief as it is due to expire next year.

The purchasing managers’ index of activity in the UK construction sector dipped from 61.4 in October to 59.4 in November, which is still well above the 50 mark that divides growth and decline.

Theresa May has told Chancellor Philip Hammond to make middle and low-income families a priority in next week’s Autumn Statement.

Stoke City are finalising the transfer of Wigan Athletic's Nick Powell and are interested in Everton's versatile 24-year old defender Matthew Pennington.

The 26-year-old is due to have a medical ahead of signing a three year contract with the Championship side.

Cardiff City are expected to make an improved bid for Wigan Athletic striker Kieffer Moore. An offer of £2.3million was rejected last week but Moore was left out of Wigan's squad against Bristol City.

The 71 year-old was told by the travel insurance firm that he would not be able to claim the money back as he had not informed it straight away of pending eye surgery.

Holidaymakers who have already made summer travel plans are being urged to book any 'extras' - including airport parking and renting a car - well in advance.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: In nine singles matches, and at the tender age of 15, Gauff can claim the unusual distinction of never having been off one of the show courts at a Grand Slam.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: The 23 year-old at least offered some defiance before she was beaten 6-2 6-4 by Wimbledon champion Simona Halep on a blustery Rod Laver Arena

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Coco Gauff scored a sensational win over defending champion Osaka at the Australian Open on a day that felt like there was an abrupt changing of the guard.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: A remarkable day at the Australian Open ended with Roger Federer dramatically avoiding the same fate as some of the women's top names.

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.

The Australian tennis bad boy is through to the fourth round after winning a five-set thriller against 16th seed Russian Karen Khachanov.

Australia's golden girl of tennis survived a mid-match scare to down world number 18 seed Alison Riske to win  6-3 1-6 6-4 to book a quarter finals berth.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Nick Kyrgios attempted to honour the memory of one of his basketball heroes, Kobe Bryant. In the end, the emotional Australian fell short against Nadal.

World No 2 Novak Djokovic took another step to defending his Australian Open title on Sunday with a dominant display against big-hitting Canadian Milos Raonic.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: An aggravated Rafael Nadal was spent spinning out of the Australian Open by a brilliant performance from Austria's Dominic Thiem.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Despite facing a partisan crowd on the Rod Laver Arena the 32-year-old Serb showed again just how hard he is to beat at a venue where he has won seven times.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Barty cradled her 12-week-old niece as she tried to shrug off the disappointment of ending Australia's long wait for a homegrown women's Open winner.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: In the unlikely event of Dominic Thiem making it third time lucky in a Grand Slam final nobody could accuse him having it easy.

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

Heine Allemagne, 43, the man man who invented the magic vanishing spray adopted for use in Brazil, us set to reap the financial rewards after years in poverty and facing bankruptcy.

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.

HELEN CAHILL - CITY CORRESPONDENT: Saudi fund boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan is in the final stages of taking over as chairman of Newcastle United, sources told Sportsmail.

England cricket legend Andrew Flintoff has recalled how Newcastle boss Steve Bruce once bailed him out of a sticky situation at a restaurant after his credit card had maxed out.

Al-Rumayyan was headhunted n to run Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which is worth around $330bn and has been funding the nation's push to host a growing array of sporting events.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Alan Pardew could only sit and wait for the phone call. There was nothing else to do as the fate of ADO Den Haag's season was debated in a series of video conference calls.

The £300m deal is awaiting the League's approval but that process is understood to have been held up given the complexity of broadcast piracy allegations against the Saudi state.

TOP SPIN AT THE TEST: As he did against South Africa last month, Root has begun this series against West Indies with a century. And the clenched fist conveyed a simple truth: it was a hundred he needed.

Romelu Lukaku has insisted he feels no pressure to score his 50th goal for Belgium after moving one goal from the milestone following his strike in a 4-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win at Scotland.

Russia have confirmed they will play their upcoming Euro 2020 Group I qualification matches in their old kit as their new strip inverts the country's flag.

A senior Olympic chief revealed on Monday night a decision has been made to postpone Tokyo 2020 - with the Games now set to be held next summer.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took a private flight from Vancouver, where they have been staying since stepping down as senior royals, to LA where they are setting up a permanent home.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a last minute dash across the border from Canada to the US to start their new life in Los Angeles.

Malibu is a logical place for Meghan and Harry to set up home; it has one of the most expensive ZIP codes in the country and boasts stunning scenery and waterfront properties.

EXCLUSIVE BY WILL KELLEHER: As agreed long before coronavirus shut down the sport, the idea next summer is that England will tour the USA and Canada while the Lions are in South Africa.

The Australian Football League's attempt to carry on with the Aussie Rules season despite the coronavirus outbreak lasted just one round. However some other sport is continuing.

The former Collingwood Football Club player has launched an online series called 'Dane Does Chapel From Home' in order to promote small businesses in Melbourne's iconic Chapel St.

The new e-bikes by international company Jump will be trialled across metropolitan Melbourne. The announcement comes after previous bike-sharing scheme oBike failed.

Uber is set to add a new revenue stream with the hopes of becoming profitable. The firm signed a deal with ad-tech company Adomni to introduce ad displays on top of 1,000 vehicles.

Uber is set to launch a new 'pet-friendly' option so Australians can bring their furry passengers along for the ride.

Premier League clubs face the prospect of hurried pre-season preparations with the 2020-21 campaign set to start on the weekend of August 8-9 - just a month after the Euro 2020 final.

Drastic action is set to be taken if the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) ends the Premier League season completely, though Liverpool are reportedly set to be confirmed as champions.