BBC Sport’s Annabel Croft analyses a contentious call during Emma Raducanu’s loss to Aryna Sabalenka after some players questioned the accuracy of Wimbledon’s line-calling system.
WATCH MORE: Raducanu beaten by Sabalenka in gripping match – highlights
Russell Martin says Rangers are “at a disadvantage” in their team building because they play so early in Champions League qualifying – but the head coach expects to be “so pleased” with new signings anticipated “in the next week or two”.
The Scottish Premiership runners-up have bought centre-half Emmanuel Fernandez from Peterborough and midfielder Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth, from whom right-back Max Aarons has also been signed on loan.
Midfielder Lyall Cameron’s arrival from Dundee had been arranged before Martin’s appointment this summer.
The former Southampton manager told Rangers TV he is “so pleased” with the close-season additions and said: “The ones we think will be coming into the building in the next week or two, we’ll be so pleased with them and we still need some help.
Rangers, who play Club Brugge in a pre-season friendly on Sunday, start their competitive campaign at home to Panathinaikos in just over two weeks time.
“We’re also at a disadvantage because we play so early in Europe. We are trying to work when everyone else is on holiday,” Martin said.
The former Scotland and Rangers defender outlined his requirements for new arrivals.
“People need to be desperate to play for this club and not just be an option and one of a few options,” Martin explained.
“We have to be ready to win early, but we also need to be in a position to help the whole football club with players who can come here, develop whilst winning, and be good business. Every club has to look at that model. “
Football ability would not be enough to convince Martin a player is right for Rangers.
“Can you come here and add to us as a group in terms of your behaviour, the way you train, the way you work and who you are as a human being, your willingness to play in a way that we want to, which is not for everyone because it’s not easy? ” he added.
Brydon Carse dismisses India’s Karun Nair for 26 to give England an early breakthrough on day four of the second Test at Edgbaston, with India 96-2 in their second innings.
Follow Live: Men’s International Test Match Series – England v India
Burnley have signed England defender Kyle Walker from Manchester City for a fee of up to £5m.
The right-back completed his medical on Friday and has signed a two-year contract with the Clarets.
The 35-year-old will work again with head coach Scott Parker, with whom he played at Tottenham Hotspur for two seasons.
“I’m delighted to be here,” Walker told Burnley’s website. “I can’t wait to come in and add my experience and quality to what looks an exciting squad.
“When I spoke to Scott and heard about his plans for next season, it was an opportunity I jumped at. He’s done an amazing job here, guiding the club back to the Premier League. “
Walker made 15 appearances in the first half of last season for City before joining AC Milan on loan in January, but the Italian club decided not to make his move permanent.
He won 17 trophies during his time at Etihad Stadium and was part of the squad that won the Treble in 2023.
Walker, who started his career at Sheffield United, signed for City in the summer of 2017 for an initial £45m and made 319 appearances for the club.
Burnley were promoted back to the Premier League last season following their relegation in 2024.
The Clarets creatively announced Walker’s arrival on X, using Popstar Lionel Richie’s music video for his song ‘Hello’.
Walker is their fifth signing of the summer, following the arrival of defender Axel Tuanzebe, left-back Quilindschy Hartman, goalkeeper Max Weiss and French winger Loum Tchaouna.
Joe Burns says Italy’s cricketers have the chance to “create a legacy” as he attempts to guide the European nation to their first ever World Cup.
Opening batter Burns, 35, made four centuries in 23 Tests for Australia between 2014 and 2020 but made himself available to play for Italy last year, qualifying through his grandparents.
He has since been appointed captain of Italy, who will battle it out with Guernsey, Jersey, Scotland and the Netherlands in a European regional qualifier for next year’s 2026 T20 World Cup.
The two teams who finish top of the round-robin tournament held in the Hague between 5 to 11 July will qualify for the event in India and Sri Lanka.
“We’re very confident that if we play to our best, we’ll be going to a World Cup,” Burns told BBC Sport.
“It’s not lost on us the magnitude of the impact we can have on Italian cricket. We talk a lot as a team about creating a legacy for the generations to come after us.
“To wear the Italian cap at a World Cup would make us a groundbreaking team. And we think we’ve got the team to get there. “
The first recorded game in Italy was played in Naples in 1793 by sailors from the fleet of Lord Nelson, and today there are more than 3,500 competitive players and in excess of 100 clubs.
They are currently 32nd in the International Cricket Council world rankings but do not have any proper turf pitches.
Italy’s squad have prepared for the tournament with a short training camp in Rome, some friendlies on grass in Horsham before warm-up games in the Netherlands.
Burns said there is a “huge opportunity” for cricket, and T20 in particular, to really grow in Italy and qualifying for the T20 World Cup could prove to be a major catalyst.
“I feel like Associate cricket is very much the grassroots of international cricket,” Burns added.
“But I really think that in 30, 40 or 50 years from now, Italy could be a massive player in world cricket.
Burns’ desire to play for Italy has allowed him to connect with his heritage.
His grandfather was an Italian POW, who left the country with his wife in the years which followed the Second World War.
They hailed from a small town in the commune of Delianuova, in Calabria, in the ‘toe’ of southwest Italy.
His mother – Grazia – was born in Brisbane but Burns says he always “felt Italian” growing up with memories of attending church, following Serie A and special afternoon lunches on Sundays.
“I grew up with Italian traditions and that Italian connection,” Burns said.
“So it’s nice to, I guess, combine the two loves of family and cricket and be able to play on the world stage. I’m at in this stage of my career, it’s really reinvigorating for the love of the game. “
Burns has quietly followed the cricket fortunes of Azzurri for a long time, and first made contact with the Federazione Cricket Italiana in 2009.
His grandfather passed away before he was born but his late grandmother did see him play international cricket.
He continued: “I remember my ‘nonna’ watching when I played for Australia, and she was always asking my mum what was going on and asking why I was hitting the ball in the air when I was nicking it to the slips!
“I’m sure she’s looking on very proudly now I’m playing for Italy. I hope the Italian cricket team is a bit of a beacon for Italians around the world. “
One of the main reasons Burns decided to play for Italy was in tribute to his brother, Dominic, who passed away last year.
“Really, it’s my two life communities that are helping me and my family through a tough time,” he said.
Summer tour second Test: Japan v Wales
Venue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BST
Wales were left devastated after wilting in the Kitakyushu heat to lose 24-19 to Japan and suffer a record 18th successive Test defeat.
First-half tries from Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers, as well as a penalty try, gave Wales a 19-7 half-time lead and hope of a first victory since beating Georgia at the World Cup in October 2023.
But Japan dominated the second half as Wales suffered in the extreme heat and humidity.
Tries from Takuro Matsunaga, Ichigo Nakakusu and Halatoa Vailea, plus nine points from the boot of Seungsin Lee, piled on more misery for Wales.
Captain Dewi Lake was close to tears after the final whistle, with Wales’ 21-month wait for an international victory continuing.
“I don’t want to speak for everyone but we are gutted,” he said.
“It’s very tough to take because we have worked hard.
Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt said the whole squad had been affected.
“You could see the feelings not just from the squad but the whole staff as well,” said Sherratt.
Defeat means Wales have again slumped to an all-time low as they are still searching for a first Test win in 21 months.
Wales have slipped two places to 14th in the world rankings, now below Japan and Samoa.
Sherratt said Wales could not feel sorry for themselves with the second Test in Kobe next Saturday.
“We have got to quickly use the hurt to fuel us for next week,” said Sherratt.
“The great thing about this tour is we get the chance to put it right. “
Japan head coach Eddie Jones warned Wales they would face an improved side next weekend.
“We’re really happy with the win,” said Jones. “We will enjoy it and get ready to go again in Kobe, where we’ll need to play much better. “
Sherratt confirmed Wales lock Ben Carter will miss that game after he took a heavy hit to the side of the head after just 34 seconds.
Carter slumped to the ground after attempting to make a tackle and there was a lengthy stoppage before the second row was taken away on a stretcher.
The Dragons captain was up and about in the changing room afterwards but will not be available next weekend.
The oppressive conditions – with the temperature above 30C as well as high humidity – meant a three-minute water break in each half and an extended interval of 20 minutes were introduced.
Wales faded badly in the second half as Japan scored 19 unanswered points but Sherratt refused to blame the heat and humidity for the tourists’ demise.
“I would be making excuses if I said that,” said Sherratt.
“If you look at the game, we took pretty much every chance we got bar one in their 22.
“Every ball that hit the floor bounced for us and we were on the right side of the penalty count.
“In the second half there were some big moments. We had a line-out around 45 minutes to take the game to three scores and it was a tough call by the referee to penalise us.
“We have a young group, we have not had a win for a while and those little scars can start to run deep.
“In the second half every bounce went for them, we had some key line-out positions we did not make the most of and the penalty decisions went away from us.
“Maybe the conditions added to that also but my instinct is not so much. “
Lake said Wales would look at themselves first.
“Conditions are going to play a factor but we’re not blaming that,” said Lake.
“We weren’t clinical enough in the 22 and we didn’t come away with points. “
Jones was proved right when he said before the match the team that coped with conditions would win the game, but the Australian also praised his opposition.
“For Wales to come from the northern hemisphere into those conditions is difficult,” said Jones.
Jones, who masterminded a second success against Wales for Japan following the win in 2013, praised his side’s resilience after a slow start.
“For a young team’s perspective, that’s a very good win,” he said.
“In the first half, we were getting beaten in territory and possession.
“We had a lot of nerves and frequently gave the ball back early in the phase count.
“As a result, we were being beaten fair and square. But I sensed at half-time the players knew what to do. “
Jones praised the leadership of captain Michael Leitch.
“With Mike’s leadership in the second half, I thought they played a good 40 minutes of rugby and were really tough,” said Jones.
“At times, we were able to break the Wales defence and our set-piece was absolutely outstanding.