of 11; degrees. for of 16 degrees. for most house of 16 degrees. for most sundays looking like the better day of the weekend. fewer showers around but it will feel that little bit warmer with temperatures 11 to 15 degrees during the day on sunday but things turn unsettled and autumnal once again into next week. that's all from the bbc news at six, so it's goodbye from me — and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc‘s news teams where you are. coming up on bbc news. interviews often seem to be running out of time. couldn't they just often seem to be running out of time. couldn't theyjust be allocated enough time in the first place?

hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm lizzie greenwood—hughes, here's a look — at some of what's coming—up on the programme. it's men's semi—finals day with a few fans allowed to watch at the french open. nadal‘s already through, will he bejoined by novak djokovic? still no spectators in sight for british football, as the premier league announces a new pay—per—view deal this month, costing £15 a game which many people think is just too much. everybody‘s think isjust too much. in difficult everybody‘s think is just too much. in difficult times. everybody‘s think isjust too much. in difficult times. we are everybody‘s in difficult times. we are certainly at the broadcast to have another look at that price. we are certainly at the broadcast to have another look at that price. meanwhile 20,000 fans will get to watch lewis hamilton try to match michael schumacher‘s all time win record in formula one this weekend.

so lots to get through tonight with a packed weekend of sporting action. and we're starting with tennis and the french open semi—finals which feels such a strange thing to say in october but as i'm sure my guest will agree — it's just great to be talking about any top level sport. welcome britain's davis cup captain — leon smith. so men's semi—finals day. and rafa nadal looks has already won to book his place in the final. he's going for his 13th title in paris and is just one win away from roger federer‘s all time grand slam record. you watched his straight sets victory over diego schwartzman, what did you think? it's an astonishing record that he is not. there is much been talking about the cold, the heavier ball meaning his game, the ball is in flying around like it used to. he's coping with it well enough. i think today again schwartzman who has been

very much in form, he won in straight sets but the level it was a little bit streaky but he still dominated. schwartzman had actually beaten him a few weeks ago in the royal masters. this is a good test and roughi royal masters. this is a good test and rough i came out. he's not had ones that taken them off in this championship. he is very fresh for the final on sunday. extraordinary to think he could be winning his 20th grand slam. and world number one — novak djokovic in sunday's final. these guys have been at the top for so these guys have been at the top for so long. it's incredible. the younger players are certainly not in the doors winning at us opens. djokovic up against tsitsipas who's 22 years old, incredible star. the history that everyone's going for, roger is coming back from injury he'll be back next year. this slam count is going on every single time is so huge. and these 30 somethings just don't seem to be going away. here is djokovic out. he's taken us

at 63 you've been really impressed with him have it you? he's been looking really good. i have to say tsitsipas also played high level tennis. djokovic is looked really good. there was much spoken about his issues with his neck, getting a lot of treatment in his last match. even his opponent had something to use say about buying some time. he's come out today moving well, he's serving in a good place and is looking very, very dominant. serving in a good place and is looking very, very dominantm hasn't been a great year for anyone and hasn't been tickly for british. there is some hope at this french 0pen because we've got gordon reed and hewitt once again winning a major. is this the third they've cleaned up and all the majors? physical clean sweep this is no wimbledon but they've won everything else was out there an incredibly good pair when they come together on the doubles court they've got great chemistry, good relationship and there is absolutely exceptional. they are very very good role models

and wheelchair place had a very strong group. as much as the able bodies in the french open championships this year didn't go quite as well as everyone wanted. there is good strength and depth across the whole of that wheelchair program. thank you. you can hear more from leo on radio five live. so far the games have been shown on tv, but now the five matches every round this month, that are not picked for broadcast, will cost you £16.95 to watch. not picked for broadcast. it's said to be an "interim solution" to allow fans to continue watching their team live. but it hasn't gone down well with some fans i9 clubs voted for it. lester is the only one to oppose it. hasn't gone down well with some bands. hasn't gone down well including gary neville. the former england defender and now television pundit, said on social media it was a "really bad move"

by the premier league. here's what the chairman of the supporters association — malcolm clarke makes of it. everybody‘s in difficult times and we certainly are at the broadcast to have another look at that price. 0bviously, have another look at that price. obviously, we don't expect to get in free but a lot of our members are concerned that this may give them problems. but we think one of the very urgent things from all the clu bs to very urgent things from all the clubs to do is to return this season to return money that a lot of them are still holding onto so that supporters can afford to pay the price whether it's £15 or whether we succeed in getting the broadcasters to lower it a bit. is there any concern among supporters that this could in any way accelerate covid transmission? you could imagine that some fans because it's so expensive might have a thing going with their friend where one pace one week and another week. it could potentially encourage more covid transmission? well, we would urge our members a lwa ys well, we would urge our members always to obey the rules wherever in

the country on the covered rules. for obvious reasons. it might encourage some people to do that and go to other peoples houses. but why should we look at football different in this respect to anything else? 0f a good film was on television and people decide to buy and pay per view than exactly the same arguments might apply. we want our members to obey the rules. we want our members to obey the rules. if it wasn't bad enough to be kept out of grounds, you have to feel for some scottish fans who couldn't even watch the whole game in the pub last night. when their national side's euro 2020 play off against isreal. went to a penalty shoot out — it was after the 10pm curfew for bars. leading to some fans missing extra time and pens and others — congragating outside bars to watch the game through the window or on phones — something scotland's first minister has condemed. i saw pictures of what i think you

are describing on social media this morning. should that have happened? every day i stand here and read out the facts that say avoid crowded places. so no, it shouldn't. 0f course it slightly less risky, people are outside than inside but you shouldn't be in crowded places. i can't be everywhere and the police can't be everywhere. we have to rely on peoples person but not responsibility. time for a look at some of the other football headlines around today. aston villa's women's super league games against bristol and chelsea have been postponed after a first—team member tested positive for coronavirus. several others in the team are also isolating. meanwhile — england's women have added an extra international fixture this year — they'll play norway in a friendly at sheffield united's bramhall lane on december first. it'll be the third time the two sides have played each other in the last year and a half. you'll be able to watch it live on the bbc. and chelsea's new goal keeper edouard mendy has returned to the club after injuring his right

thigh while training with senegal. he'll undergo further examination and could be back in around ten days. while fans are kept out of elite level football in the uk, 20,000 will be allowed in to germany's eifel grand prix this weekend as lewis hamilton tries to equal michael schumacher‘s record of 91 formula one victories. his mercedes team though, have been hit with two positive covid tests. but our f1 reporterjennie gow told me it wouldn't impact hamilton's chances and many are expecting this to be an historical weekend for the british driver. today in germany as well on the track which is quite synonymous with michael schumacher would be a fitting place as any to be doing not recall that record. it means that we will go onto the next track where he could then beat the record. but it's a phenomenal target wherever he and he will do it. everybody in the world will look up and say, we have

a very talented driver on her hand. in closing in on the seven world title when will we see that you think? well, before the russian grand prix i think was cantering toward that record and equally the seven world records and other schumacher record. russia really derailed him. so it will be interesting to see how much an effect that has on this weekend and going forward as well. it does show there is a vulnerability to mercedes. 0nce there is a vulnerability to mercedes. once again, the rules of sort have been against them in a way. and they haven't read them correctly. let's see what happens this weekend but i think it's a matter of time and when that happens or in matter of time and when that happens orina matter of time and when that happens or in a couple a rounds time or may be in turkey. we will wait and see. but there's plenty of good destinations for him to break that record. jenny, we don't know how long lewis hamilton is going to keep going on. look into the future this was supposed to be a really big weekend for the young drivers of the future. not least michael schumacher

has son who was supposed to drive and practice. yes, both he and a young british driver were meant to drive. they are part of the ferrari academy. it was all lined up for them to take part in practice one. however, no running happened today because the weather was so bad to stop the medical helicopter wouldn't of been able to take off if there was an incident. that means nick and callu m was an incident. that means nick and callum did get a chance to go out there. thousands of fans have tried to watch schumacher make his mark in history. not to be. he hopefully will get another chance towards the end of the season. a lot of disappointed and quite soggy fans today. stick with us, because still to come on sportsday. we talk to michael ‘venom' page as he gets ready to make history in the first major mma event in france. and ian bell tells us why cricket has got it right this summer. so it made their way for many sports to see what is possible.

i think cricket has done a terrific job in these circumstances with what we've had. 0bviously job in these circumstances with what we've had. obviously it's been a horrific summer for everyone. now it's the rugby union's premiership play—off semi—finals this weekend with wasps against bristol and exeter against bath. activities have been the standout all season long finishing top of the league. a tall order who only realise they were into the playoffs two days ago. austin looks ahead to the action this week. point deductions, cancellations and a chorus covid. this rugby season has had it all. eventually after nearly i2 had it all. eventually after nearly 12 months the final is almost within reach. for a bath it's onlyjust become a possibility. they only found out that they were into the playoffs on wednesday after sales game was abandoned because of the number of positive closer test. the waiting around on monday and tuesday, was obviously unique and

challenging. the guys to be fair had that moment of disappointment but then we spoke to the chamber and said we can't waste two days here, we've got to recover and we've got to emotionally get ourselves in a place were ready to go and when the semifinal. a semifinal they think is long overdue. it's been 26 years since the premier ships lifted the title. andy nichol was part of that tea m title. andy nichol was part of that team and captain them to some of their greatest triumphs in the 90s. the city, the fans, the rugby club creates success. the city, the fans, the rugby club creates success. it craved trophies because it had it so often for so many years. it's huge for them. it's beena many years. it's huge for them. it's been a lot of tough times. they are two games away from it but they are two games away from it but they are two very tough games away from having to go to exeter for the first one. and inform exeter side as well who finished top of the league. meanwhile bristol bears and only their second season back in the premiership face wasps. it's a start ofa premiership face wasps. it's a start of a crucial couple of weeks for the bears. with the european final next

weekend before a potential partnership final the one after that. with covid cases authorised bristol haven't ruled out isolating for two weeks. it became a higher risk in society and we want to make sure that certainly would be an option. everyone is on high alert at the moment. a tickly and the decisions they are making and who they mix well. after the longest season in the sports history the biggest prize in english rugby is just two wins away. after that, a well—earned rest. so that's the men's season almost wrapped up. the women's season however was abandoned back in march. so there's great anticipation for the women's game that after six months off — it's back with the new allianz premier 15 season kicking off tomorrow. we've already lost one game due to covid — bristol is off after one of their players tested positive. but four other matches go ahead including league newcomers exeter chiefs who will travel to gloucester—hartpury. and i'm delighted to

say exeter‘s captain linda van der velden joins me now. linda — this must have been a long few months finally for you stepping up into the top level. yeah, we are so excited. 0n top level. yeah, we are so excited. on thursday training with the girls everybody, we just gone through saturday can't wait for the game to start. even everybody is so supporting for us everywhere we go. we speak to people and they are already set a lot and we are going to watch you guys. it's been a very long road but it's finally happening and we can't wait. finally happening and we can't wait. there have been a few changes to the women's laws. including shorter games. will that have any impact? i think big change is the scrum.

when there is a knock on our forward pass that won't be a scrum it will bea pass that won't be a scrum it will be a free kick. i think it's become they want to get the scrums down at they want to get the scrums down at the percentage because of covid. it definitely changes the game for certain positions it certainly changes as well. of course we prefer to play the real game. at the end of the day we just want to play. it's if in this way we are still excited to play. and the 35 minute halves with that suit you or would you rather have the full 60 minutes? well, i think norma the phone i don't mind but i think because there are no scrums there is definitely more gametime or ball in play. maybe the five minutes less won't be that bad ofan the five minutes less won't be that bad of an idea. obviously lynn. you'll be hoping to match the men success by taking the league this season as an exeter player. who else should we be looking out for, which other teams do you think will be doing well this season? to be

honest, it's my first year here in the partnership. i know that other teams that are good definitely queens we've been focusing on ourselves and where focusing on a very good project. i think probably a lot of other teams will be good as well. for now where focusing on ourselves and we just want to perform the best we can and go in every week with the best fight we can and to show ourselves and what we've been training for. thank you very much. 0k let's look at some of tonight's other sporting headlines. england's charlie howell and hall are in contention in the third women's major of the year the pga championship in pennsylvania. hall has just teed off at her second round. she is three shots off the lead. the nearest thing to a men's major here at the

bmw pga of wentworth is ongoing. englishman matt fitzpatrick is the leader alongside ireland shane lowery. i2 underpar. there are three matches and rugby stipulate that i could there be an upset on the cards? part inside wakefield are head against league leaders st. helens there is 25 left in the second half. and for the second day running frenchman arnaud demare won the stage at the giro d'italia. british champion ben swiftjust missed out on stage 7, crossing the line in fourth. portugal'sjoao almeida retained the overall lead, britain's simon yates remains 19th with 16 stages left. the giro couts itself lucky its still going ahead as cycling has been hit with cancellations due to riscovid's rise around europe and well as covid levels are rising england ian bell cricket led the way for many sports, cricket has done a terrificjob.

almost unchanged. cricket led the way for many sports really to see what is possible. i think cricket has done a terrific job in the circumstances of what we've had. it's been a horrific summerfor we've had. it's been a horrific summer for everyone. fedex and players to get everyone out playing and cricket pakistan, west indies coming over in doing so. i know in those bubbles speaking to a few of the lads i don't think it was easy. literally going from hotel room on the ground to the dressing room and back so i don't think it was easy i give credit to the players are getting out and do not for us. hopefully that will help domestic cricket and also club cricket and junior cricket for the future. is the state of the domestic game and out in light of the coronavirus? definitely need to be back to some sort of normality the summer. certainly don't want to see domestic cricket in the same situation. this year if it's the same again as the summer. let's hope that we are back

to something and the county game will continue. i think the best thing about this season from a domestic point of view for me i think with a limited amount of overseas players to come over i think we are seeing a lot of young players get opportunity. and very lucky last winter to go away with young lions. england and the nineteens and i think the majority of that group certainly i7% of that group managed should be playing first team cricket for that weather was in the four day game or in the blast which again, the opportunity to come around for young cricketers to come around for young cricketers to actually gone out and done very well. and taking advantage of the opportunities that came back this summer. i hopefully the domestic games i'm sure we need to get back to having cricket back to some sort of normality which will certainly save the majority of the counties. while from ian bell to what many are labelling

while from ian bell to what the new bell. england batsman 0llie pope has moved to welsh fire for the hundred in 2021 and opener rory burns has switched to 0val invincibles. pope left southern brave and burns moved from london spirit as part of a reallocation of england's test players. eight women's players, including west indies' deandra dottin and stafanie taylor, have been confirmed for 2021. it'll be strange it i guess that's a lot of guys have done the franchise cricket and either way a single farm available in game where you guys in the oval the sorry boys. they'll probably be the where it is. it's a good experience and itjust good to learn from different pairs, different cultures. it's nice and short straight for us batters which is quite nice as well. just be very strange playing against the other side. i had to be doing that honour of being in the waiting not very used to it. tomorrow though be pbc sports mixed martial arts the showdown

between michael benham page and scotland's ross the hit man houston will be played live on the bbc iplayer. it's also the first major mma event in france following the legalization of mma in the country. i'm delighted to say that i can talk now to michael. thanks so much for joining us. i guess the fact that this event is going on in france proves how much the sport has come along they tell me about the sort of show you guys are going to be putting on for us. obviously, it's amazing. france is now taken this on board. is great for the sport and i'm excited to be the first person introducing it to the world over here in france. it means a lot to everybody so i'm just excited to get going. both of us are very established athletes and we aren't looking forward to doing our best

and putting on a show. we talked about the fast time france is holding a big mma event. it's obviously the first on the bb ci player is showing it. it shows how big the sport is going for some what are your hopes for a? do you think when they could be bigger than boxing? it's going to take a wild but one of the good things with this port is the younger generation being raised with mixed martial arts on tv, i think a few more years ten, 20 yea rs tv, i think a few more years ten, 20 years time it will be as big if not bigger than boxing. tell me about your background. were you ever involved in any other sport? 0r your background. were you ever involved in any other sport? or has it always been martial arts for you? in the kickboxing world i achieved a lot. i was ten time world champion i did quitea lot. i was ten time world champion i did quite a bit and kick boxing. i got to a point where i want to do that a bit more for myself. i wasn't able to achieve it within the kickboxing world so i decided to make a switch. i was contemplating

boxing, full contact kickboxing and then i said well let me, i love to learn a thing so i deftly want to try it mixed martial arts. and i just never turn back. ifell try it mixed martial arts. and i just never turn back. i fell in love with the art. that was michael joining me earlier. since then had way that brain injury association has criticised the bbc for its decision to broadcast live coverage of the mixed martial arts event saying it risk the lives of young people. there is more on that story on our website. we've also got breaking news which is also on the website, just come in now, this is about the story we brought you earlierfrom about the story we brought you earlier from the about the story we brought you earlierfrom the premier league who've announced that some games this month that are not picked for broadcast will cost you £16 95 to watch the first match it's chelsea can sell hampton. a week from saturday. newcastle against manchester united is also on saturday plus sheffield united follow him then you got lester against aston villa on sunday and

monday's game between westrum and burnley will also be behind paid. also just a burnley will also be behind paid. alsojust a quick burnley will also be behind paid. also just a quick update from the french open tennis. djokovic is an action against tsitsipas djokovic took the first set he's up for —— two in the second set. winner nadal will be faced on sunday for stop we are out of time. thanks to the whole tea m are out of time. thanks to the whole team here. thanks for watching from all of us here. it is good night. good evening. during friday, much of the uk had a bit of a drop in temperature and we have seen a real mix of sunshine, some blue sky but also some heavy downpours, too.

but of course is the recipe for lots of rainbows that we've seen out there today. this one comes from one of our weather watchers near swansea. high weather watchers near swansea. pressure setting west high pressure setting out to the west of the uk face that's driving ina west of the uk face that's driving in a northwesterly wind we will see some showers rattling through on that northwesterly wind for the course of time. particularly heavy and persistent downpours for a time scotland, northern ireland into the far north of england showers northeast england down through the midlands further south and east across england and wales should keep the claris guys tonight. temperatures in the cooler sports but for a five night. perhaps a bit lower on the countryside just a touch of rural frost possible first thing saturday morning for supper saturday brings a similar day to what we had on friday. high pressure out to the west, low pressure in the east but it will be a little bit windy we've got a few isobars on the map. those wins coming northerly northwesterly direction feeling fresh out there through the day.

this line of persistent, heavy showers making their way across england and wales during the course of the days followed by sunshine and further showers rattling and from the northwest is out there will be some drier weatherfor the northwest is out there will be some drier weather for the day particular through parts of southern scotla nd particular through parts of southern scotland later on. along the south coast of england you should avoid most of the shows but to feel quite chilly. ii to 16 degrees particular chilli down the east coast without the breeze around the east coast into sunday perhaps one or two showers for eastern scotland and eastern england. much of the uk sunday brings us the better day of the weekend. a lot of dry weather on the weekend. a lot of dry weather on the cards. sunshine coming through not quite as breezy as saturday. it will fill perhaps a little bit warmer about 11 to 15 degrees or so for sunday. had through next week we soon seen for sunday. had through next week we soon seen i return to low pressure moving in from the atlantic. low pressure will then be sitting across central parts of europe for much of next week. there will be showers around particularly across parts of england and wales further north across the uk scotland and northern ireland looking a little bit warmer and a little drier with some are terminal sunshine in the mix.

bye— bye.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. an extension to thejob around the world. an extension to the job support scheme, around the world. an extension to thejob support scheme, the government will pay two thirds of workers wages for businesses across the uk which have been forced to close. labour says the measures do not go far enough. we will adapt and evolve our response as the situation on the health site adapts and evolve. that is what happening, i think does a pragmatic and right thing to do to do that and i think the actions demonstrate that approach. a rapid increase in coronavirus cases in england as infections double in a week. admissions to hospital have increased with the northeast and northwest of england areas of concern was up our

northwest of england areas of concern was up our potential is that we will continue to