NADAL SUFFERS SHOCKING FIRST ROUND DEFEAT IN WIMBLEDON

It had been billed as Blockbuster Monday but no-one expected the movie to end like this. Rafael Nadal, a two-time Wimbledon champion and one of the greatest players of all time, was dumped out of the Championships on day one by a Belgian journeyman who only just scraped into the draw.

Arsenal star Walcott ties the knot with childhood sweetheart Melanie at luxury Italian castle

The Arsenal star married Melanie at the fairytale ceremony at Castello Di Vincigliata in Florence, 10 years after the couple met while Walcott was at Southampton.

FINALLY! Guardiola unveiled as Bayern Munich boss.. The Spaniard admits to nerves

Treble-winning Bayern Munich unveiled their new coach Pep Guardiola amid a media frenzy on Monday as the Bavarians prepare to extend their domination at home and in Europe.

The former Barcelona coach said he was ready to accept the challenge of coaching a team that has just played an outstanding season under Jupp Heynckes, winning the domestic league and Cup double and topping it off with the Champions League title.

TRANSFER BATTLES: Aspas, Cavani, Benayoun, Djourou, David Luiz, Blanc, Ancelotti, Isco

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of striker Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo and the Spaniard has already vowed to bring success to Anfield. The 25-year-old, who scored 12 goals for Primera Division club Celta last season, has signed a long-term contract with the Reds after passing his medical at Melwood.

The deal is subject to international clearance, Liverpool announced on their website, but the frontman is already thinking big.

Balotelli to miss semi-final clash with Spain

Italy striker Mario Balotelli has been ruled out of his side's Confederations Cup semi-final against Spain on Thursday with a thigh injury.

"The examinations carried out this afternoon in Fortaleza on Mario Balotelli showed a grade-one tear in the quadriceps muscle of the left leg," it said in a statement yesterday.

Gay sets up double Bolt showdown after year's best 200m

Tyson Gay rocketed to the year's fastest 200 metres, clocking 19.74 seconds at the U.S. trials on Sunday to set up a double sprint clash with Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt at August's world championships.

The big victory came two days after Gay ran a world-leading 9.75 seconds to win the 100 metres at the U.S. meeting in Des Moines, Iowa.

Brighton sack Poyet... but stunned ex-boss discovers news while appearing on BBC

Brighton announced they had sacked Gus Poyet on Sunday night, with their bemused former manager discovering the news as he appeared live on the BBC’s Match of the Day.

The Uruguayan was a pundit for coverage of Sunday’s Confederations Cup clash between Spain and Nigeria when Brighton released a statement claiming they had informed Poyet that his contract had been terminated ‘with immediate effect’.

Big Boys dont cry? Murray breaks down in tears as he recalls the worst day of his life

Andy Murray has revealed his satisfaction at being able to bring joy to the people of Dunblane.

The killings of 16 children and a teacher by former Scout leader Thomas Hamilton at Dunblane Primary School in March 1996 still scar the Scottish town.

But Murray, a pupil at the school who was present on the day of the massacre, has given Dunblane cause to be portrayed in a positive light, as the place where the reigning Olympic and US Open men's tennis champion grew up.

Kobe Bryant Mixes with Brazil and Italy stars in Changing room.. Neymar reveals Balotelli advice

Some of sport's biggest names came head-to-head after Brazil's 4-2 triumph over Italy in the Confederations Cup when basketball star Kobe Bryant had a snoop around the dressing room of the two sides.

The LA Lakers' legendary shooting guard smiled as he posed for pictures with stars including Mario Balotelli - looking surly after the Group A defeat - and Barcelona's newest Brazilian star Neymar, grinning after scoring twice in the match.

Obituary! Tragedy strikes at Le Mans as Danish driver dies in high-speed crash during 24-hour race

Allan Simonsen has died after crashing today at the Le Mans 24 Hours motor race in France.

The Dane was immediately treated by doctors and the race's medical team when he lost control of his Aston Martin and smashed into the safety barriers just 10 minutes into the race.

The 34-year-old, who was racing in his seventh race, was taken to the Circuit Medical Centre 'in a serious condition' but died from his injuries.

Amazing! Russell Westbrook Proposes for Guy over Twitter, She Says Yes

For anyone who ever criticized Russell Westbrook's skills as a facilitator, get a load of this: The Oklahoma City Thunder guard just registered a massive assist by helping a fan propose to his girlfriend on Twitter.

Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams in a TUG OF WAR as the Russian blasts the American on rape controversy and her dead love life

Maria Sharapova blasted Serena Williams on Saturday for the American's controversial comments over a high-profile rape case and even criticised the Wimbledon champion's colourful private life. 

In an astonishing attack on the world number one, which comes just two days before Wimbledon gets underway, Sharapova told Williams to keep her opinions to herself as the bitter relationship between the two was laid bare.

Williams, the 16-time Grand Slam title-winner, was forced to apologise for her comments regarding the rape of a 16-year-old girl by two high school American football players in the Ohio town of Steubenville. 

Messi can avoid jail by paying £20m fine for alleged tax evasion... But the Barcelona star is not guilty

Lionel Messi's lawyers insist the tax fraud allegations are baseless but say he will settle any outstanding obligations if needed.

Law firm Juarez Veciana said in a statement that the Barcelona forward 'scrupulously complies with Spanish legislation.'

Messi and his father Jorge have been ordered to appear before court in the town of Gava near Barcelona on September 17 to answer allegations they owe £3.4million in back taxes from 2007 to 2009. 

TRANSFER BATTLES: Luis Alberto, Isco, Ancelloti, Rooney, Blanc, Cavani, Paulinho, Courtois, Zouma, Van Ginkel, Wanyama..

Liverpool have completed the signing of Spain youth international Luis Alberto from Sevilla. The 20-year-old has signed a long-term contract with the Anfield club after passing a medical, with the deal still subject to international clearance.

Alberto, capped at several levels of youth football by Spain, spent last season on loan with Barcelona B, where he scored 11 goals and collected 17 assists in 38 appearances.

Cycling - Ullrich finally admits doping, says it wasn't cheating

Jan Ullrich, the 1997 Tour de France winner, has admitted for the first time that he received blood-doping treatment from Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes during his career, according to an interview with a German magazine published Saturday. Ullrich had previously acknowledged having unspecified ''contact'' with Fuentes, but went further in an interview with the weekly Focus.
''Yes, I received treatment from Fuentes,'' the German rider was quoted as saying.