Serena Williams beat her elder sister Venus in a Grand Slam match for the first time in six years to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals. The world number one came through 6-4 6-3 in one hour and eight minutes on Centre Court. Serena, two years younger at 33, has now won 15 of the American siblings’ 26 professional contests. She remains on course to complete the third leg of a possible calendar Grand Slam. Her last defeat at one of the four majors came at the All England Club 12 months ago, and her sister could not end a run that has taken in victories at the US, Australian and French Opens. “It’s never easy to play someone you love and care about,” said the world number one. “You just play for the competition and enjoy the moment.” Illness and injury have hampered Venus since her last Wimbledon title in 2008, but with five Wimbledon singles crowns apiece, the fourth round was still an early stage for such a heavyweight encounter. “It definitely doesn’t get any easier,” Serena said after their sixth Wimbledon meeting.

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Liverpool’s new midfielder James Milner spends his first day at the club. He will be wearing number 7 shirt for the Reds in the coming season. A good buy one would say.

Juventus have confirmed that totemic midfielder Andrea Pirlo has left the Italian champions to join New York City. Pirlo signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the New York based MLS side. The Italian midfielder will link up with Frank Lampard, who will be officially unveiled on Tuesday, with the Englishman expected to make his debuts in Sunday’s league game against Toronto FC at Yankee Stadium and Pirlo in the home match with Orlando on 26 July.

FIFA have ordered Yemen to forfeit their World Cup qualifying match against North Korea 3-0 for fielding a banned player. North Korea had won the game on 11 June 1-0 but FIFA increased the score the score in North Korea’s favour because Mudir Al Radaei lined up in the Yemen defence when he should have been serving a one-match ban after getting two yellow cards in previous matches. Sadly the Yemen’s football team had to take to the sea to make the said World Cup qualifying match with North Korea, as it is the only route out of their war torn country.

Nani has completed his move to Fenerbahce. The Portuguese winger has signed a three-year deal and that Manchester United will receive a fee of £6m euros.

Sunday 5 July 2015:

Ifeanyi Uba 1 – 0 Shooting Stars

Sharks 0 – 0 Nasarawa

Dolphin 1 – 1 Wikki Tourists

Giwa 2 – 1 Heartland

Taraba 0 – 0 Kwara United

Kano Pillars 1 – 0 El-Kanemi

Enyimba 2 – 2 Abia Warriors

Bayelsa United 2 – 0 Warri Wolves

Lobi Stars 1 – 1 Sunshine Stars

Akwa United 2 – 0 Enugu Rangers

USA ended their 16-year FIFA Women’s World Cup™ drought in the most emphatic manner imaginable with a Carli Lloyd hat-trick lifting the Stars and Stripes past holders Japan for their third title. A scarcely believable four-goal salvo inside the opening 16 minutes meant there was only ever going to be one winner to the joy of the largely pro-USA 53,341 crowd in Vancouver. USA were quickest to the ball from the opening whistle and immediately reaped greater rewards than they could ever have imagined. A low driven Megan Rapinoe corner from the right deceived a flat-footed Japan defence and Lloyd finished first time from near the penalty spot to put a perfect flourish to a training ground move. Barely 150 seconds had passed on the stadium clock but, incredibly it was about to get even better for the Stars and Stripes. A low free-kick from Lauren Holiday evaded a swathe of players before the ball found its way, almost magnetically, to Lloyd who applied the finishing touch from close range. USA were 2-0 up inside five minutes and Lloyd had nabbed the two fastest goals in Women’s World Cup Final history.

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