Linda Nosková overcomes Muchová fightback to claim Wimbledon crown

Czech youngster Linda Noskova recovered from missing five championship points to beat her friend Karolina Muchova and win an extraordinary and dramatic Wimbledon final. Noskova looked on course for a routine victory when she led 6-2 5-2 – but crumbled with the finishing line in sight as 10th seed Muchova won five games in a row to force a decider. However, the 21-year-old showed remarkable resilience to reset and finally clinch a 6-2 5-7 6-3 victory.

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Merlier doubles up with sensational sprint win on stage 8 – Tour de France

Tim Merlier has won his second consecutive sprint stage, coming from the back of the bunch to assert his claim on the green jersey. As the peloton turned the final corner onto the finish, the Soudal Quick-Step rider was so far behind —edged out on the corner— that he barely appeared in the television shots. Mathieu van der Poel started his final lead-out for teammate Jasper Philipsen, stringing the group out. Merlier was forced to launch early, riding the slipstream and hopping forward, rider by rider.

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South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams dies aged 25

South Africa midfielder Jayden Adams, who featured in all three of his country’s group matches at the World Cup, has died, a government minister has confirmed. Adams, who played his club football for Pretoria side Mamelodi Sundowns, was an unused substitute as South Africa exited the tournament in a last-32 defeat to co-hosts Canada on 28 June.

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Late Merino winner sends Spain past Belgium into semi-finals

Mikel Merino emerged as Spain’s hero yet again as the substitute scored in the 88th minute to stun Belgium and book his side’s place in the World Cup semi-finals. Having come off the bench to score a 91st-minute winner against Portugal in the last 16, the Arsenal midfielder stepped up with another late strike to decide a closely contested quarter-final tie in Los Angeles.

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Tim Merlier powers to stage seven sprint victory – Tour de France

Belgium’s Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) kept up his winning record at the Tour de France with a magnificent sprint to take a deserved victory in Stage 7 on the banks of the Garonne in Bordeaux. Merlier recovered from being boxed in on the home straight to power through the gaps and launch from the slipstream of Soren Waerenskjold (Uno-X Mobility), the Norwegian settling for second place ahead of Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling Team).

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