ON THIS DAY

1936:

Australia’s Lionel Van Praag won the first World Speedway Championship, which was held at Wembley.

1962:

Rod Laver beat fellow Australian Roy Emerson in four sets to win the US Open and complete tennis’ Grand Slam. He repeated the feat seven years later.

1972:

Emerson Fittipaldi of Brazil won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in a Lotus to clinch the world drivers’ title. At 25 years and 273 days, he was at the time the youngest man to become world motor racing champion.

2000:

Michael Schumacher of Ferrari won the Italian Grand Prix to record the 41st win of his career – equalling that of the late Ayrton Senna. However, the race was overshadowed by the death of a fire marshal who was hit by a wheel following a crash at the Monza track.

2006:

Maria Sharapova won the US Open with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Justine Henin at Flushing Meadows.

2008:

Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick as England beat Croatia 4-1 in Zagreb in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

2012:

Andy Murray became the first British man to win a grand slam singles title in 76 years after beating Novak Djokovic 7-6, (10) 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2 in the US Open final.

2013:

Thomas Bach was elected the new president of the International Olympic Committee, replacing Jacques Rogge.