Swiss legend Roger Federer beat arch-rival Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in a classic, fluctuating finale at the Australian Open to move four major titles ahead of Nadal and Pete Sampras on the all-time winners' list. Federer became the first man in history to win five or more titles at three different Grand Slam events. It was also his 89th singles title victory, the third most in the Open era behind Jimmy Connors on 109 and Ivan Lendl’s 94.The 36-year-old has now bagged five Australian Opens, seven Wimbledon titles, five US Open titles and one French Open crown.
Serena Williams, 36, won this year's Australian Open while pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl in September. She has not played a competition since, raising questions over whether the 23-time Grand Slam winner would attempt to defend her title next year. Williams has overtaken tennis legend Steffi Graf with 23 Grand Slam wins but is yet to surpass Margaret Court, who boasts 24 major titles.
In the longest match of the Badminton World Championships 2017, Japan's Nozomi Okuhara trumped India's P.V. Sindhu 21-19, 20-22, 22-20 in 110 minutes. While the scoreboard hints at a gripping and hard-fought contest, it was a 73-shot rally, which Sindhu won, that had the players lying flat on the ground and the fans gasping for breath! While the rally did little to change the outcome of the match, it has come to define the gallant effort put in by both competitors. After closing the second game, Sindhu saved one championship point in the decider but it was the Japanese who had the last laugh.
American veteran Justin Gatlin rained on Usain Bolt's farewell race in the blue riband event by stunning the Jamaican to win the 100m world title in London. "I'm sorry I couldn't end it on a winning note, but I want to thank you for your support," Bolt said and embraced Gatlin after they streaked through the line with no clear victor immediately apparent. Of Bolt's 19 global golds, 13 have come in individual events and allied with a charismatic personality, it has guaranteed Bolt recognition as one of the world's most successful sportsmen.
Midfielder Jeakson Singh made history during the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, scoring India's first World Cup goal during the side's clash against Colombia at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. In the 82nd minute, Jeakson towered over the Colombian defence to head in Sanjeev Stalin's corner and put the Indian side on level terms. India, however, succumbed to a 2-1 loss. Sixteen-year-old Jeakson plays for I-League team Minerva Punjab.
Long-time rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal achieved a career first in Prague this year when they played side-by-side in the Laver Cup, a Ryder Cup golf style event featuring Team Europe against Team World.
The La Liga fixture between Barcelona and Las Palmas scheduled at Camp Nou was played behind closed doors due to violent protests in the city amid the Catalan Referendum. With an hour to go before kick-off, it was confirmed that a closed door match with no spectators inside the stadium will take place. As far as the match went, Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi were on target as Barcelona beat Las Palmas, preserving its 100 per cent record in La Liga against a backdrop of unrest.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari title rival Sebastian Vettel clashed during the opening lap of the Mexico GP, with the German driver - who had started on pole - emerging in a better position than the table leader. Hamilton later accused Vettel of hitting him deliberately over team radio, although stewards quickly determined no investigation was necessary.
The third Test between India and Sri Lanka was interrupted due to air pollution that compelled the Sri Lankan players to wear masks on the field at the Ferozeshah Kotla. Sri Lanka's players complained to the umpires about the conditions and forced a pause of 20 minutes. According to the U.S. embassy website, the levels of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants in Delhi showed at 328 — more than ten times the level considered safe by the World Health Organization. This wasn't the first time cricket had been impacted by poor air quality in the capital. Last year, two Ranji Trophy fixtures in the city had to be cancelled because of pollution.
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