Savannah Marshall has her sights set on Olympic glory after defeating China’s Qian Li in the quarter-finals at the Women’s World Boxing Championships to secure her place in Rio while Andy Murray ground out a tough five-set win over veteran Radek Stepanek in the first round of the French Open. Here's our review of the last 24 hours.
Team GB’s boxing contingent for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games now stands at ten after Savannah Marshall secured her spot on the plane with a quarter-final victory at the Women’s World Championships in Astana.
Marshall defeated Qian Li of China to obtain one of four Rio qualification places on offer at the Championships in the middleweight category.
She will join flyweight Nicola Adams, who became the first woman to win an Olympic boxing title in London four years ago, in the team bound for South America after she won the European qualifying event in Turkey earlier this year.
The pair are now both guaranteed medals at the World Championships in Kazakhstan after Adams won her quarter-final against Anna Alimardanova, but will look to improve on a definite bronze in Thursday’s semi-finals.
But as Marshall looks to become World champion once more, after winning in 2012, nothing can deter her from the excitement of qualifying for her second Olympic Games.
“I am really happy and grateful to be given another chance to compete at the Olympic Games,” she said.
To read more about Marshall's march to Rio 2016, click here
Bad light may have stopped play on Monday, but Andy Murray’s determination shone brightly as he overcame the stubborn Radek Stepanek to clinch a five-set victory in the first round of the French Open.
World number two Murray had trailed by two sets to one when the match was suspended on Monday evening, but dug deep when play resumed the following day to claim a 3-6, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 victory. The 29-year-old Scot won the fourth set comfortably, but was forced to his limits in the decider by 37-year-old Stepanek in what could be the veteran’s last Roland Garros.
“It’s unbelievable what he’s doing,” he said. “He had an extremely bad injury last year at still at 37 coming out and fighting like that, playing that way, it’s unbelievable. “I don’t expect to be doing that myself at that age. I’m just glad I managed to get through.”
Aljaz Bedene battled back from a set down to beat Gerald Melzer 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 as the British number two moved into the second round at Roland Garros for the first time.
Johanna Konta was dominated by Germany’s Julia Goerges in a 6-2, 6-3 defeat, while Laura Robson fell 6-2, 6-2 to 28th seed Andrea Petkovic.
To read more about Murray’s hard-fought triumph, click here
Sir Bradley Wiggins will return to the London track later this year after being confirmed as a competitor at Six Day London from 25-30 October.
His appearance will mark a first return to the velodrome at Lee Valley VeloPark in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park since his spectacular World Championship madison victory in March.
Wiggins is currently training with British Cycling, hoping to earn selection to what would be his fifth Olympic Games in Rio where he will be hoping to win an eighth Olympic medal.
An appearance at Six Day London would be his debut Six Day event on home soil, as well as being the first opportunity to see him race back at the Velodrome after Rio.
“I grew up with the Six Day. I know it’s full on, brilliant for spectators, as well as bloody tough to ride,” said Wiggins.
“I was gutted not to be able to ride it last year, but this year the timing just fits so I’m hoping it will be a great way to celebrate a successful fifth Olympic Games, back in London.”
To read more about Sir Bradley’s return, click here
Great Britain crashed to a 5-1 defeat in the third and final Test against Australia as Jamie Dwyer scored twice in his final appearance on home soil.
Dwyer, who will retire after this summer's Olympic Games, deflected in the opening goal from Australia's first attack, before England's Simon Mantell brought the scores level just three minutes later following lovely play by Harry Martin and David Ames.
It didn't take long for Australia to regain the lead however, as Simon Orchard scored from a penalty corner to put the home side at the quarter break.
Despite increased Great Britain pressure, Australia scored again through Blake Govers, before Mark Knowles added one for himself just after the 40-minute mark.
Dwyer notched his second and Australia's fifth just before full-time, and Great Britain head coach Bobby Crutchley admits he was left wanting more from his side.
"It's very tough to beat the top teams in the world when you gift them goals," he said.
"Our deep defence was not as strong as in recent games and after conceding the third, it was always going to be tough getting back in the game."
Kimberley Renicks will miss out on her Olympic dream after the Judoka was told she required surgery on a shoulder injury.
A Commonwealth gold medallist in 2014, Renicks had set her sights on Rio 2016 and is Great Britain’s top ranked player at -48kg, but picked up the injury at the end of April.
Renicks, 28, will go under the knife on Friday to tidy up bone and cartilage damage in her shoulder, which will prevent her from competing in the necessary qualifying tournaments.
"I'm gutted - I can't really describe it," she said. "The Olympics is your dream - it's the one you want to make. It's a knock back but I'm still young enough to pick myself up.”
Sportsbeat 2016