MARTHA KELNER IN BEIJING: Jessica Ennis-Hill and Katarina Johnson-Thompson go head-to-head on Sunday in a battle to be crowned heptathlon World Champion.

MARTHA KELNER IN BEIJING: Jessica Ennis-Hill being crowned world champion 13 months since giving birth and after an almighty battle back to fitness seems a mere formality.

Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson's World Championship medal hopes have gone up in smoke after she failed to record a distance in the long jump as Jessica Ennis-Hill stayed in front.

Greg Rutherford demanded critics lay off Katarina Johnson-Thompson after her long jump collapse cost her a heptathlon medal at the World Championships in Beijing.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson began her quest for redemption after her heptathlon 'walk of shame' by comfortably qualifying for the long jump final at the athletics World Championship.

The Scottish runner has been in fine form and she leads a team packed with medal prospects. Performance director Neil Black said he is 'pleased with the blend of the team' for the championships.

With the World Championships in London just around the corner, the excitement levels are slowly starting to build. WILL KELLEHER takes a look at the athletes that fans should watch out for.

RIATH AL-SAMARRAI AT THE LONDON STADIUM: Johnson-Thompson, there was a degree of redemption, considering it was this discipline that wrecked her chances in the heptathlon.

UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos has defended Britain's performance at the World Championship by claiming an athletics medal is the hardest prize to win in sport.

The 25-year-old is favourite for the pentathlon at the World Indoor Championships, which were getting under way on Thursday but has played down her chances of winning.

In the space of a pentathlon on Friday, Johnson-Thompson ran, jumped and threw her way out of the realm of perennial underachiever and into one reserved for world champions.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson sits top of the leaderboard after the opening morning of the heptathlon at the European Championships.

Her haul of 4,138 points puts her 96 clear of the Olympic champion from Belgium, which is not unusual - the configuration of this event is such that she usually has the best of day one.

The heptathlete, 26, shared a sun-drenched snap of herself to Instagram on Monday posing on an idyllic sea swing.

Prince Andrew, 58, looked in his element as he enjoyed a chat with Sky TV commentator Andrew Coltart the 147th Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club in Scotland on Friday.

From Ryder Cup glory in Paris one Sunday to an extraordinary collapse at St Andrews, Tyrrell Hatton knows all about the contrasting emotions this fickle game can generate.

Teeing it up for the first time since the Ryder Cup, Reed showed no signs of rust and made four birdies to turn in 32 before gains on the first three holes ensured he steered clear of the chasing pack.

Thomas Pieters will take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the Maybank Championship as he bids to end his two-and-a-half-year wait for a regular European Tour title.

Brooks Koepka finished the opening round of the USPGA with a staggering round of 63 to finish -7 and give him the outright lead. The American posted seven birdies and no bogies.

Brooks Koepka made a mockery of Bethpage Black's fearsome reputation in the first round, but there is still all to play for with three rounds to go. Follow all the action right here.

They say there's no such thing as the perfect golfer but over three rounds of complete domination at the USPGA Championship, Brooks Koepka has given a pretty good impression.

Brooks Koepka won the 101st USPGA Championship on Sunday to join the legends of the game with his successful defence of the Wanamaker Trophy.

Tommy Fleetwood is determined to keep a sense of perspective as he looks to end the major season on a high at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

DEREK LAWRENSON AT ROYAL PORTRUSH: Less than two hours after setting foot in Northern Ireland for the first time, Tiger Woods had checked into his rental home, and was on the first tee.

INTERVIEW: After a few years of the weird and wonderful, you won't be too surprised to learn that the Claret Jug has been on a rather more sedate journey in the safe hands of Francesco Molinari.

IAN LADYMAN AT PORTRUSH: Outgoing champion Francesco Molinari admitted he hadn't particularly enjoyed the experience of defending his title this week.

Saracens' case for their defence fell at La Defense as the besieged Barnet bashers were battered by Racing 92. The reigning Champions Cup holders took their biggest continental loss in two years.

Exeter Chiefs are desperate for their 'normal' squad to solve the European puzzle this year, having added Border piece Stuart Hogg. The 27-year-old Hawick-born full-back faces his old club.

Rory McIlroy admits it would 'mean the world' to win an Open Championship on home soil after completing the ASI Scottish Open with an error-strewn final round.

The PGA Tour have confirmed that $7.5million - half of the Players Championship prize money - will be equally distributed among every player in the field.

The Duchess of Sussex colour-matched her husband's military uniform with the vibrant £1,295 scarlet dress at the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall last night.

Stuart Hogg was denied a last-minute winner against former club Glasgow as his 50-metre penalty hit the bar but a pulsating 31-31 draw edged Exeter into the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals.

Next month’s World Championships men’s 100m final is in danger of rivalling the 1988 Olympic final in Seoul as the ‘Dirtiest Race in History’.

On Sunday night the best 100m sprinters in the world will settle down on to their blocks in the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, the scene of much heroics in the 2008 Olympics.

MARTHA KELNER IN BEIJING: Usain Bolt goes head to head with the two-time drug cheat over 100m and 200m at the World Championships in Beijing this weekend.

Usain Bolt managed to survive a stuttering start to move into the World Championships 100m final in Beijing, setting up an enticing showdown with Justin Gatlin, who stormed through in his heat.

As Usain Bolt fulfilled his final media duties inside the Bird’s Nest stadium after winning 100m gold, with cleaners tidying around him and, a fan draped draped in the Jamaican flag screamed: ‘Yes Usain Bolt!'

Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin set up the sequel to their world championship sprint showdown on Wednesday, both winning their semifinal heats in the 200 metres.

Justin Gatlin hopes the public will see him as a 'human being' rather than a drugs cheat after the World Championships. Gatlin finished second in the 100m and 200m in Beijing.

The Jamaican was forced to settle for third in his final solo race at the London Stadium on Saturday after being beaten by the USA's Christian Coleman, who claimed silver, and Justin Gatlin, who won the gold.

After finally earning his first Tour title on Sunday night, US PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas was quick to share the moment with his proud mum and dad, and then Tiger Woods.

UEFA president said he would consider finishing the European competitions behind closed doors but will accept they might have to be cancelled if they were unable to resume by September.

Bayern Munich have been given a major boost in their pursuit of Leroy Sane following comments from his new agent that they have the 'prerequisites to win the Champions League'.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: LaLiga was heading for its most exciting conclusion in years. Even those who would benefit from drawing a line under the season with the table left as it is want it finishing properly.

Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier has come out in defence of his team's tactics in the valiant Champions League last-16 victory over holders Liverpool.

Llorente has gone to extreme lengths to commemorate his memorable performance at the famous stadium, and shared his hilarious choice of name with his Instagram followers.

The Spanish FA have proposed the clubs they wish to take part in European football next term should the Spanish top flight fail to be completed, but it is set to cause huge controversy.

Around 3,000 Atletico Madrid supporters travelled for their Champions League victory in Liverpool. It came a day after LaLiga announced league games would play behind closed doors.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Atletico know it's unlikely but they have to cling to something. The horizon will look very dark for them otherwise - they would stand to lose around £88m from missed revenue

The four Champions League semi-finalists are Real Madrid, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Monaco, but which team do you think will lift the trophy in Cardiff in June?