Sport shorts: Andy Murray and Serena Williams form Wimbledon dream team
Ten things from the world of sport on Wednesday 3 July

1. Dream team at SW19
Britain’s Andy Murray has confirmed that he will partner American icon Serena Williams in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon.
Two-time men’s singles champion Murray and seven-time women’s singles champion Williams are expected to play their first-round match tomorrow.
Murray, who is also playing in the men’s doubles with Pierre-Hugues Herbert, said: “Serena is obviously a brilliant player, has a great doubles record and is brilliant on grass obviously. She’s arguably the best player ever.”
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2. Body of Swiss footballer found
Swiss football is in mourning today following the death of women’s international Florijana Ismaili. The 24-year-old was declared missing after a swimming accident at Lake Como in Italy on Saturday. Quoted by the BBC, Swiss women’s boss Nils Nielsen said: “I am deeply saddened and shaken. It’s hard to accept that Flori is gone.”
3. Racing plans for no-deal Brexit
Annamarie Phelps, the new chair of the British Horseracing Authority, has told The Guardian that the sport must prepare for a no-deal Brexit. She said: “It looks like it’s going to happen, whether you agree with it or not. We really don’t want to have a hiccup and have British racing come to a halt because we can’t get French horses in or Irish horses in, or vice-versa.”
4. India through to semi-finals
India have joined Australia in qualifying for the semi-finals of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup after a 28-run win over Bangladesh at Edgbaston. England are playing New Zealand today in Durham and both sides are also aiming to reach next week’s semi-finals.
5. Ronaldo fans mock Messi
Lionel Messi has suffered yet more international football heartbreak after his Argentina side lost 2-0 to Brazil in the Copa America semi-finals. Brazil will play Peru or Chile in Sunday’s final. Following Argentina’s Copa exit fans of Cristiano Ronaldo did not hold back at mocking Messi on social media...
Messi vs. Ronaldo: 2018-19 records and all-time goals
6. Cavendish ‘heartbroken’ to miss Tour
British cyclist Mark Cavendish admits he is “absolutely heartbroken” after missing out on a place in the Tour de France. After being omitted from the Dimension Data squad for the Tour, Cavendish tweeted: “I’m absolutely heartbroken by the decision that means I won’t be at Le Tour this year. Though I won’t be there, as always I’ll be supporting my team-mates with all I have.”
7. Palmer: the future’s bright for F1
BBC Sport columnist Jolyon Palmer says the performances of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc prove that the future is bright for Formula 1. Verstappen finished first ahead of fellow 21-year-old Leclerc in Austria on Sunday. In his column former Renault driver Palmer wrote: “The Austrian Grand Prix showcased everything that is good about Formula 1 - and was exactly what the sport needed seven days after the snoozeathon of the French Grand Prix. Two of F1’s most exciting drivers staged a thrilling fight for the lead, after exceptional performances from both, and the entire weekend was full of thrills and spills.”
8. Angels win a day after pitcher’s death
Just 24 hours after the death of their pitcher Tyler Skaggs the Los Angeles Angels returned to Major League Baseball action and secured a 9-4 win over the Texas Rangers. Skaggs, 27, was found dead in his hotel room on Monday.
9. Lacazette to replace Griezmann?
With Antoine Griezmann likely to sign for Barcelona this summer it means that Atletico Madrid are in the market for a new forward. Who could they bring in to replace Griezmann? It’s reported that Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette is being lined up to take the place of his fellow Frenchman.
Premier League transfer news: Lacazette, Pogba, Bale, Maguire, Ozil, Fekir, Ake
Tottenham transfer news: Eriksen, Ndombele, Clarke, Lo Celso, Sessegnon
10. 11.7m watch World Cup semi-final
Last night’s Fifa Women’s World Cup semi-final between England and the United States was watched by a peak audience of 11.7m, the BBC has confirmed. It’s the largest live TV audience of the year. England lost the semi-final 2-1 against the defending champions in Lyon.
Phil Neville: the aim is to become the best - I won’t stop
Today’s back pages: World Cup heartbreak for the Lionesses
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