MIKE DICKSON IN MADRID: Andy Murray, heavy-legged and relying purely on his old fighting instincts, avoided a shock defeat on his return to Davis Cup tennis by the narrowest of margins.

MIKE DICKSON IN MADRID: From Andy Murray there was the unprecedented confession that he had let his high standards slip when it came to preparing for this Davis Cup finals week.

Kyle Edmund produced one of his most impressive performances in recent months to push Great Britain one step closer to a quarter-final berth at the Davis Cup in Madrid.

Andy Murray, who was on court for just shy of three hours, looked physically spent at the end of the 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 and admitted after that he is not in the best shape and so it was logical to rest him on Thursday.

MIKE DICKSON IN MADRID: Andy Murray was reduced to the role of courtside spectator as his brother Jamie and Neal Skupski put Great Britain through to the quarter finals of the Davis Cup.

MIKE DICKSON IN MADRID: GB has fought its way through to a quarter-final at this self-styled 'World Cup of Tennis.' It is not football, but the whole thing has a certain ring to it.

MIKE DICKSON IN MADRID: There is no haunting of this Great Britain Davis Cup team by the ghost of Andy Murray, and they charged through to the semi-finals on Friday night.

MIKE DICKSON IN MADRID: Nothing has been able to derail Kyle Edmund, not even the surprise of finding his opponent had been changed at the last minute.

MIKE DICKSON IN MADRID: Andy Murray was sitting on the team bench, contorted with anxiety, while his elder brother was heroically trying to force GB into the Davis Cup final.

MIKE DICKSON IN MADRID: Leon Smith hopes Great Britain can return to Madrid next year with an even stronger Davis Cup team after narrowly missing out on a place in the final.

The 32-year-old was reduced to the role of anxious spectator after taking nearly three hours to defeat little-known Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the opening group match.

MIKE DICKSON IN SYDNEY: Tim Henman got an abrupt introduction to the joys of team management and coaching immediately after touching down in Sydney.

Five years on from the victory that would facilitate one of British tennis's greatest triumphs, James Ward was flogging away on court somewhere in Ohio.

Court won all four grand slams in 1970 and also holds the record for the most grand slams won by a female player at 24 titles. Serena Williams is one grand slam title away from equally Court's record.

Liam Didsbury from Liverpool, has blasted Asda for allegedly advising employees who don't agree with their new contract to find a new job. His mum has worked for them for 30 years.

Gamesys was praised for acknowledging that children and vulnerable customers who are bored are being placed at risk by the lockdown. Betting companies have been urged to protect players.

Standard Life Aberdeen Chief exec Keith Skeoch has come to the view that attending next January would be insensitive to the grim realities of life in the pandemic for millions of ordinary people.

The 30-year-old, who has struggled for form at United, is in negotiations with Inter Milan over a season-long loan deal from Old Trafford. He reportedly had to visit the US embassy in the capital.

Anthony Joshua's next potential opponent Kubrat Pulev has been deported from the United States to Bulgaria due to a visa issue according to The Athletic. Pulev was boarding a flight.

Maatje Benassi and her husband Matt described the 'nightmare' of their ordeal to CNN, saying their lives have been turned upside down since the theory began spreading on social media.

National security adviser Robert O'Brien's deputy, Matthew Pottinger, pushed to shut down air travel from the then-coronavirus epicenter Europe in February but Trump did so March 11.

City Football Group, who are majority owned by Abu Dhabi United and have involvement from China Media Capital, CITIC Capital and Silver Lake, will wipe out Lommel's debts of £1.75million.

After the The Open was cancelled for the first time since the Second World War, the ongoing pandemic has also forced the US Open and PGA Championship to take place later this year.

MIKE DICKSON IN NEW YORK: Barcelona footballing superstar Gerard Pique has taken advantage of the international break to visit New York and promote his sports business venture.

The Duchess of Sussex , 38, was the center of attention as she cheered on Williams, 37, who could not dominate in her clash with Canadian Bianca Andreescu at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens.

She exited the US Open in the first round last month when she lost to Latvia's Anastasija Sevastova. But Eugenie 'Genie' Bouchard has plenty to keep her spirits up - including a new romance.  

Bancroft founder Clive Russell has 27 years' experience as a financial adviser. He launched a flat fee in response to a lot of clients coming to him who were paying high percentage charges.

Older people who are anxious about their pensions or other finances can book a 'no strings attached' call with a regulated financial adviser.

It was the game former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg revealed 'was by far the hardest match' he ever had to officiate - the Battle of the Bridge on this day four years ago.

Millions who were planning to head abroad this year to visit well known attractions, will still be able to do so from the comfort of their own home.

In her role as Commodore-in-Chief of the Canadian navy, Princess Anne will Visit HMCS Regina, at sea, boarding in Vancouver and travelling to Esquimalt on Vancouver Island on May 1.

Channel Nine television journalist Tony Jones has spoken about the infamous  cringe-worthy moment Bec Judd dodged an attempted peck on cheek from him. 

She's got her hands full juggling her busy career while raising four children. 

Angela Richardson, the new representative for Guildford, toured an electric bus parked outside Westminster's Queen Elizabeth II Centre on February 6.

Uber sexual harassment whistleblower Susan Fowler, 28,New York, who brought down co-founder Travis Kalanick told the New Review it was 'hard' to revisit the experience for her new book.

Advisors are planning to present President Donald Trump with a menu of economic options after the Dow dropped 7 per cent Monday amid fears of the spreading coronavirus and oil market moves.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: The Nations League concept is back on the table as a means of galvanising international rugby, but if it is going to make a difference, it can't be half-hearted.

IAN WINROW AT THE NEW DEN: West Brom's promotion bid has been in danger of being blown off course recently. But now, Slaven Bilic believes his side's promotion bid is back on track.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: I wonder if all those voting for the chairmanship of World Rugby on Sunday realise the great gift and opportunity they have - or what a pivotal moment for the game this is.

Maastricht, situated on the River Meuse, has plenty of great restaurants and narrow, cafe-filled streets along which to meander. Here's how to see its best bits...

IAN WHITTELL AT DEEPDALE: Stoke manager Nathan Jones accused England keeper Jack Butland of having his head turned by talks of a move away from Stoke.

IAN WHITTELL AT THE BET365 STADIUM: Nathan Jones edged ever closer to the exit door at struggling Stoke with yet another helping hand from his goalkeeper Jack Butland.

JANINE SELF AT THE HAWTHORNS: What started as a night of goal-scoring celebration ended with the prospect of a lengthy stint in the rehab room for Stoke striker Tyrese Campbell

ADAM SHERGOLD AT LOFTUS ROAD: Sam Baldock scored 15 minutes from time to rescue a point for the Royals as QPR only had themselves to blame for defensive complacency.

Wayne Rooney was all smiles on Thursday afternoon as he pulled on the Derby County kit for the first time as he prepares to join up with the rest of the squad ahead of their next match.

Two alpacas from Helen Woodward Animal Center's Pet Encounter Therapy program, Kronk and Kuzco, have been bringing joy to residents at California senior centers.

The California Department of Justice has found that State Lottery officials violated a law enacted to protect reputations of public agencies by acting inappropriately on sales conference trips.

The 30-year-old Katy Keene star flaunted her svelte figure in a white t-shirt and a pair of semi-sheer black leggings amid California's coronavirus lockdown in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

She's been doing her best to stay positive during this time of extended quarantine and social distancing, and has also made efforts to get involved in relief efforts.

ON THE ROAD: At what point did Sunderland go from being a big club that accidentally found themselves in League One, to becoming a genuine lower league outfit?