Defending champions the United States booked their place in the semi-finals of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World League final event with a four-set win over France at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro.

“For us to regroup and come back and play that well was really gratifying.”Serbia got the better of

both teams progress to the semi-finals ©FIVBThe US, who finished top of Pool I, will go on to face Serbia

after all three teams finished with the same win-loss record.Poland took the first set 25-18 before Serbia

.The topsy-turvy nature of the match continued as the Polish side clinched the third set 25-22 but Serbia

Host nation Brazil bounced back from defeat to France in their opening match with a crucial four-set victory over defending champions the United States on the second day of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World League final event at Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro.

proved to be a much tighter affair.Fresh from a thrilling five-set success in their first match against Serbia

due to see the US go up against France, needing a win to stay in the tournament, while Poland face Serbia

Mark Kontrecz has been named the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Boxer of the Month for July, becoming the first Hungarian to win the accolade.

comes after the 17-year-old won a gold medal at the Golden Gloves of Vojvodina Youth Tournament in Serbia

The 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) came to an end with a packed day of medal action, followed by a Closing Ceremony in the Georgian capital city Tbilisi.

final.Several team sport finals also took place including volleyball, where Turkey earned a 3-2 victory over Serbia

Hungary and Slovenia secured double gold in the New Tbilisi Swimming Pool on the third day of competition at the 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) in Georgia's capital. 

McGrath was able to hold off the challenge of Serbia’s Elzan Bibic to take the boy's gold in 4:01.11.Serbia

France continued their superb form in the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World League by claiming their 15th consecutive win with victory over hosts Brazil in the opening game of the final event at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro.

that and for us it was a great satisfaction, I think we played very well.”Italy got the better of Serbia

which doubles as a test event for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Italy claimed a narrow 3-2 win over Serbia

went in front once again thanks to being on the right side of a 25-23 scoreline in the third, yet Serbia

Hosts and hot favourites Brazil begin their pursuit of a record 10th International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World League title when they take on France on the opening day of the event at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday (July 15).

in good form and they will face Italy, eight-times winners of the World League crown, as well as Serbia

Gwangju's Summer Universiade was brought to a close today with a colourful and energetic Closing Ceremony to end a Games praised by officials as a "big, big success".

who finished fifth behind Japan on the overall medals table, won a similarly close affair 5-4 over Serbia

Serena Williams claimed her sixth Wimbledon title today with a straight sets victory over Spanish opponent Garbine Muguruza to complete a "Serena-Slam" of holding all four Major titles at the same time.

in the semi-finals of the men's singles yesterday.Federer plays world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia

China's two-time Asian Games champion Guo Yunfei won a high quality women's under 67 kilogram taekwondo competition today at the Summer Universiade in Gwangju, overcoming the gold and silver medal winners from May's World Championships in the process.

Tatar had to be content with one of the two bronze medals, with the other claimed by Ana Bajic of Serbia

Britain's number one Heather Watson produced a valiant performance to give world number one Serena Williams a major scare in the third round of Wimbledon at the All England Club.

eventually pulled through her ordeal to win 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.Men's world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia

, beating Spain's Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.Top seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia

Canada's Eugenie Bouchard and Romania's Simona Halep were the two major casualties on the second day of Wimbledon as the two seeded players were surprisingly dumped out in the first round at the All England Club.

forced to win in five sets to secure their progression.The men's world number one Novak Djokovic of Serbia

Russia underlined their overall dominance at the European Games by securing a golden double in 3x3 basketball tonight, recovering from early deficits to beat Ukraine's women and Spain's men.

were less fancied, profiting as a result of Spain's thrilling 19-16 win over world silver medallists Serbia

Serbia did make some amends for their semi-final disappointment by beating Slovenia 21-14 to claim the

Russia’s domination of combat sports at the European Games was maintained on the first day of the European Judo Championships being staged here within Baku 2015, winning five out of five of their medal matches and taking both men’s golds in the under 60 kilogram and under 66kg classes.

something new this time and that worked,” she said, adding that her first match against Jovana Rogic of Serbia

Russia may be the big battalion in the European Games swimming, but Britain ruled the pool on the first day of competition as they won three of the seven golds on offer thanks to Abbie Wood in the opening women’s 4x100 metres individual medley, Holly Hibbott in the 800m freestyle and the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team.

4:41.97, with Italy’s Ilaria Cusinato taking silver in 4:44.01 and bronze going to Anja Crevar of Serbia