morning but we got there start this morning but we got there in the end. in fact some of us had some lovely sunshine coming through. this is greenwich, the lovely daffodils coming out, spring isjust round the corner. the rain cleared away and we had this lovely window allowing for sunny spells to come through. scattered showers in the far north—west, but many of us keep the clear skies through this evening and overnight. that will allow the temperatures to fall away. that could be a shock to the system, particularly in sheltered eastern areas. an early chill, but as the night progresses we will see cloud and rain gathering to the west. that is a different story here. temperatures down to low single figures might be a shock to the system, but it will all be about the rain out to the west, accompanied by gale force gusts of winds. so may be the wet weather might catch you out first thing if you are up and off

early, with winds in excess of 60 mph. some of that rain really quite relentless across west facing coasts, and that will allow the rainfall totals to top up as we go through the day tomorrow, and it will stay into saturday as well. so wet and windy out of the west. rain gradually moving into eastern scotland, but eastern england will stay dry and temperatures should peak at 11 degrees. we still have this weather front at the weekend, it's a bit of a headache as to where it's a bit of a headache as to where it will be sitting. it keeps wriggling west to east, but one thing is for certain... it will feed up thing is for certain... it will feed up this mild airfrom the thing is for certain... it will feed up this mild air from the south so temperatures will continue to climb for some others. on saturday potentially we will see wet weather out to the west, but a quieter day on sunday, and look at this, 16 degrees! very nice indeed. louise, thank you. a reminder of our top story... researchers say coronavirus

infection rates in england have dropped by two thirds since the current lockdown began. 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. hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm sarah mulkerrins. coming up tonight... a long goodbye for serena williams as she bows out of the australian open at the semi—final stage, with question marks over herfuture in tennis. five teams from the uk are back in europa league action this evening — including jose mourihno's tottenham and 0le gunnar solksjaer�*s manchester united. and the lengths some athletes are having to go to — in order to keep up elite training.

all these kind of different competitions are still going ahead. the journey towards it is getting harder and harder. welcome along to sportsday this evening. there will be no 24th grand slam title for serena williams at this year's australian open — and there are also question marks over her future. following her semi—final defeat by the three time major winner naomi 0saka, she left the court with a long wave goodbye to the crowd, before breaking down in tears in her news conference. williams�* last major title came at melbourne park in 2017. katie gornall has this report. it was a match up worthy of a final. the greatest of all time against

arguably the greatest right now. serena williams has rediscovered some of her best form in melbourne. in an outfit inspired by track legend flojo she burst onto the blocks. but naomi osaka out with three glance and titles of her own is not one to be over lord. calmly, ruthlessly she hits back and wrestled control to take the first set six— three. at 39 years of age williams knows her time to add to a grand slam tally is running out. this was starting to feel like an opportunity missed. as the errors racked up 0saka powerfully took full advantage. 0utplaying her idol in straight sets. i don't know if there is any little kids out here today but i was a little kid watching her play. just to be on the court playing against herfor me, is a dream. a tame way for williams to go out. the difference today was errors. was itjust a bad day at the office?

i don't know. i'm done. afterwards as fans question what the future held, williams offered no clues. thanking them on social media and wishing she could have done better. and so her search for that elusive 24th grand slam title goes on. no one yet knows how the greatest tennis story of all will end. so a lot of questions around — impressive from naomi 0saka. we impressive from naomi 0saka. will talk about that performance we will talk about that impressive performance from naomi 0saka. that impressive performance from naomi 0saka. austin halewood is here with some more reaction to serena today. what is the reaction been like after serena lost?— what is the reaction been like after serena lost? absolutely that's what all the talk is _ serena lost? absolutely that's what all the talk is been _ serena lost? absolutely that's what all the talk is been about _ serena lost? absolutely that's what all the talk is been about from - all the talk is been about from melbourne park today. were it not taking away a brilliant performance from naomi 0saka. the star at the moment but the headlines all about serena. particularly because of that wave at the end of katie's piece they are. what that meant was serene

out waving goodbye to the australian open for the final time. as we say, the talk so bit about that. new york times tennis writer wrote on twitter today, whatever it meant, it was the moment of the tournament so far. we do know that the weight of history has waived pretty heavy on serena shoulders recently. we saw her breaking down in that press conference. that's all because she's jason margaret courts all—time record for the most single grand slam title. margaret 20 for serena behind on 23. we know she's been on that numberfor quite a behind on 23. we know she's been on that number for quite a while now. while the form is british number one told us earlier she believes wimbledon is going to be serene is best chance for her to finally reach the court to end her historic number 20 for her. i the court to end her historic number 20 for her. ., �* ~ ., the court to end her historic number 20 for her-— 20 for her. i don't know where she's at. i hoe 20 for her. i don't know where she's at- i hepe we _ 20 for her. i don't know where she's at- i hepe we do _ 20 for her. i don't know where she's at. i hope we do see _ 20 for her. i don't know where she's at. i hope we do see her _ 20 for her. i don't know where she's at. i hope we do see her again. - at. i hope we do see her again. obviously— at. i hope we do see her again. obviously time is going against her. she's— obviously time is going against her. she's 39— obviously time is going against her. she's 39 and she wants to an omoment— she's 39 and she wants to an opponent with firepower, mental

strength— opponent with firepower, mental strength and 16 years herjunior. that's_ strength and 16 years herjunior. that's not— strength and 16 years herjunior. that's not easy. in my mind, wimbledon is where she will have our greatest _ wimbledon is where she will have our greatest opportunities. obviously, didn't_ greatest opportunities. obviously, didn't happen last year which didn't help her _ didn't happen last year which didn't help her. but if wimbledon is able to get— help her. but if wimbledon is able to get played on the grass courts, serena _ to get played on the grass courts, serena serve and just maybe give her that bit— serena serve and just maybe give her that hit of— serena serve and just maybe give her that bit of extra something. we will have to _ that bit of extra something. we will have to wait and see how she goes has the _ have to wait and see how she goes has the europeans. it was sad to see her like _ has the europeans. it was sad to see her like that — has the europeans. it was sad to see her like that today. the has the europeans. it was sad to see her like that today.— her like that today. the weight goes on for serena _ her like that today. the weight goes on for serena williams. _ her like that today. the weight goes on for serena williams. brilliant - on for serena williams. brilliant run for naomi osaka continues as 20 wins in a row now. unbelievable, to be honest. she really brilliant form. and going ahead to the final she's never last two lost in a grand slam finals. it’s she's never last two lost in a grand slam finals-— slam finals. it's her favorite. yeah. slam finals. it's her favorite. yeah- so _ slam finals. it's her favorite. yeah. so potentially - slam finals. it's her favorite. yeah. so potentially you - slam finals. it's her favorite. | yeah. so potentially you don't slam finals. it's her favorite. - yeah. so potentially you don't want to bejennifer brody. as good as her run is been getting to the final. this is a picture after her wedding today. she's delighted to reach our grand slam finals up as you mentioned she is good to be up against it against naomi osaka who is in brilliant form as we know right now. jennifer brady, she beat

mucha on of the czech republic. this was a tough game as well. at this point of the match in the third set brady actually thought she had wanted. but it turns out the ball had gone out of play a little bit earlier on in the rally. she had to pick yourself up, regroup and eventually she was allowed to drop to her feet and celebrate eventually she was allowed to drop to herfeet and celebrate properly this time. since the match point she finally sealed it. eventually coming through in three sets. as you say, she will face osaka. that will be a rematch of the us open semifinal from last year. which osaka won but itjust from last year. which osaka won but it just shows the from last year. which osaka won but itjust shows the kind of form that brady is in. she really is continuing the good form she started last season. ., , �* continuing the good form she started last season. . , �* ., ., last season. yeah, she'll learn a bit of what _ last season. yeah, she'll learn a bit of what we _ last season. yeah, she'll learn a bit of what we might _ last season. yeah, she'll learn a bit of what we might as - last season. yeah, she'll learn a bit of what we might as well - last season. yeah, she'll learn a. bit of what we might as well from that encounter. jack about progresses but this fairy tale run for the qualifier, that was ended. absolutely full stop of all the matches of men's and women's draw of the semifinal this was cerda david

versus goliath match up for that world number one novak djokovic, the a time set when it taken on as land the world number one the first man ever to reach the grand slam semifinal at their very first grand slam tournament. i brilliant run he's been on but it did end today. sadly for him. it wentjust straight sets for djokovic. he put up a good fight, to be honest. but djokovic never really was to travel throughout. the odd point to to go his way but it was always pretty much in control. throughout these two weeks djokovic has said he's been struggling with an abdominal moral injury. as he says now that all seems to be behind him. this is the best as — all seems to be behind him. this is the best as i _ all seems to be behind him. this is the best as i felt _ all seems to be behind him. this is the best as i felt in _ all seems to be behind him. this is the best as i felt in the _ all seems to be behind him. this is the best as i felt in the entire - the best as i felt in the entire tournament. it felt great. i could swing through the ball. no pain. just best matches so far. it came at the right time and i'm thrilled. in

form and a firing djokovic. which is an under sign for evans and sitz baths who played tomorrow in men semifinal. just finally there's history weighing on djokovic his shoulders as well. he 71 the open eight times it will be a record extending ninth if he does it again this year and melbourne. it would take in one closer as well to rafael nadal and roger federer and the all—time grand slam single titles list. both on 20, djokovic will come up list. both on 20, djokovic will come up to 18. a bit of history on his shoulders as well.— up to 18. a bit of history on his shoulders as well. ~ , , ., , shoulders as well. when we see stats like that we just _ shoulders as well. when we see stats like that we just really _ shoulders as well. when we see stats like that we just really appreciate - like that we just really appreciate how lucky we are with serena williams and all of these top men playing. all at the top of the stats all with same records. thank you forjoining us. a number of leicester city women's players have been fined by the club after breaking coronavirus per protocol

while attending a party last weekend. it is understood that up to ten members of the first team attended a party hosted by one of their players. the story was broken by art reporter amber sanders. there was leicester city player is hosting a party which was hosted by one of their players. i believe this was on saturday night after they found out that they found out that their championship game with durham was postponed on sunday due to frozen patch. it's later up in ten of the women's players at the party alongside several of the men's under 20 threes. and to birmingham city players there as well. since the party the club found out very quickly and dealt with it in—house. and all of those players have been fine. they've dealt with the situation. they have both released statements birmingham city statement released earlier on thursday morning said that there was actually an

investigation pending as well. we will have to wait to find out news of that in the next few days. i wonder what the wider reaction has been when we know that there was several incidences over christmas involving female footballers in the uk where the various incidents i could couple of trips to dubai. there were actually several players from some of the top teams that would later gone to buy for christmas manchester united and arsenal aren't up christmas manchester united and arsenal aren'— arsenal aren't up those reported. there was — arsenal aren't up those reported. there was a _ arsenal aren't up those reported. there was a lot _ arsenal aren't up those reported. there was a lot of _ arsenal aren't up those reported. there was a lot of backlash - arsenal aren't up those reported. there was a lot of backlash from | arsenal aren't up those reported. i there was a lot of backlash from the general— there was a lot of backlash from the general public, from their team—mates and from those in the wider_ team—mates and from those in the wider women's football community. in wider women's football community. in the wider women's football community. the general wider women's football community. in the general football community. i think women's football have always been put on a bit of a pedestal with the players that tend to follow the guidelines. it was a real shock, there was a real coming together i think between the media and the fan base on their disappointment. on

those players who did break those coronavirus protocols. the backlash from that i think he has since carried over into a reaction from this story which is obviously come out yesterday. i think the general consensus is that there is disappointment around players perhaps not learning from the situation around the players who went to dubai over christmas. and these stories sadly continuing within football in within women's football. following the cancellation of the national indoor athletics championships, "selection trials" at three different locations around the country have been announced. they will allow athletes compete for a spot at the european indoor championships in poland next month. current government rules allows elite athletes to train, but only at a limited number of approved venues. so what about those, like hurdler alicia barrett, who can't access their training facilities? miriam walker—khan reports.

shh fails outdoor track was closed for most of last year and has only just reopened for three nights a week. that's left olympic hopefuls who work full—time like lee thompson without a place to train as the indoor track isn't always an option either. �* .., , indoor track isn't always an option either. �* , ., ~ , either. because i work until 5pm eve da either. because i work until 5pm every day and — either. because i work until 5pm every day and it's _ either. because i work until 5pm every day and it's only _ either. because i work until 5pm every day and it's only open - either. because i work until 5pm every day and it's only open till. every day and it's only open till six it's a bit difficult to get down there. so the other training days usually on the concrete sort of dangerous. they have been times during the lockdown when the tracks been closed where i have been using the track. because to me it feels safer for me to go down using the track rather didn't do my on concrete. i have not used that track. , ., track. chesterfield hurdler trained in northborough _ track. chesterfield hurdler trained in northborough but— track. chesterfield hurdler trained in northborough but has- track. chesterfield hurdler trained in northborough but has been - track. chesterfield hurdler trained l in northborough but has been using gym equipment in a garden during lockdown. now she says she's struggling to find motivation for the season. it’s struggling to find motivation for the season-— the season. it's quite technical. it's “ust the season. it's quite technical. it's just very — the season. it's quite technical. it'sjust very hard _ the season. it's quite technical. it's just very hard to _ the season. it's quite technical. it'sjust very hard to come - the season. it's quite technical. it'sjust very hard to come and. the season. it's quite technical. i

it'sjust very hard to come and do meaningful— it'sjust very hard to come and do meaningful training that we should be able _ meaningful training that we should be able to do. and i think the frustration is there because the goalpost— frustration is there because the goalpost like the olympics, all these — goalpost like the olympics, all these different competitions are still going ahead yet the journey towards — still going ahead yet the journey towards it it's getting harder and harder— towards it it's getting harder and harder in— towards it it's getting harder and harder in a — towards it it's getting harder and harder in a way that it shouldn't be. harder in a way that it shouldn't be and — harder in a way that it shouldn't be and i— harder in a way that it shouldn't be. and i think that's what spin the frustrating — be. and i think that's what spin the frustrating thing. a be. and i think that's what spin the frustrating thing.— frustrating thing. a uk athletic spokesperson _ frustrating thing. a uk athletic spokesperson told _ frustrating thing. a uk athletic spokesperson told us - frustrating thing. a uk athletic spokesperson told us almost l frustrating thing. a uk athletic. spokesperson told us almost for hundred outlays are classed as elites. and not all of them will be able to access training facilities. but they say there is a wider social and collective responsibility to reduce covid—19 transmission. discus thrower is fourth on the uk all—time list that was initially not granted elite athlete status and had to appeal to be able to train. now he's facing a different issue. i appeal to be able to train. now he's facing a different issue.— facing a different issue. i think a lot of people _ facing a different issue. i think a lot of people are _ facing a different issue. i think a lot of people are under- facing a different issue. i think a lot of people are under the - lot of people are under the impression that because now i have elite status that i have access to everything and anything i need. and that couldn't be further