Alexander Kristoff, Novak Djokovic and Gareth Bale – 25 of the best sports images of the week

We pick out some of the most stunning pictures from the last seven days

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  The peloton rides along the beach on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice during Stage 1 the Tour de France on Saturday, August 29. EPA

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  British tennis player Andy Murray after his five-set victory over Yoshihito Nishioka in Round 1 of the US Open on Tuesday, September 1. AP

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  A multi-car pile-up during the Nascar Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida, on Saturday, August 29. AFP

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  British athlete Holly Bradshaw competes during the pole vault at the IAAF Diamond League meeting, in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday, September 2. EPA

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  Yann Elies, skipper of the Queguiner Materiaux competes during Stage 1 of La Solitaire du Figaro solo sailing race on August 30, 2020, off the coast of Saint-Quay-Portrieux, in Saint-Brieuc Bay, northwestern France. AFP

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  Jockey Lewis Edmunds guides Bedford Flyer, second left, on their way to winning the Nursery Handicap at Lingfield Park Racecourse on Wednesday, September 2. Getty

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  The peloton is flanked by a train during Stage 1 of the Tour de France on Saturday, August 29. AFP

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  Wales footballer Gareth Bale during training at the Vale Resort in South Wales on Wednesday, September 2. Reuters

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  American tennis player Serena Williams, bottom, during her first round win over compatriot Kristie Ahn at the US Open in New York, on Tuesday, September 1. AP

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  Dutch athlete Meruska Eduarda competes in the long jump final during Day 1 of the Dutch Athletics Championships in Utrecht on Saturday, August 29. Getty

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  Welsh golfer Rhys Enoch plays his second shot on the second hole during Round 1 of the Andalucia Masters at Real Club Valderrama in Spain, on Thursday, September 3. Getty

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  Riders before the start of Stage 2 at the Tour de France on Sunday, August 30. Reuters

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  Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton on his way to victory in the F1 Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, August 30. Getty

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  A helicopter hovers over the action during Stage 2 of the Tour de France on Sunday, August 30. EPA

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  Kentucky Derby entry Tiz the Law is lead to the track for a workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville two days before the Kentucky Derby, on Thursday, September 3. AP

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  French athlete Marion Lotout competes during the pole vault at the IAAF Diamond League exhibition event, in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday, September 2. AFP

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  Novak Djokovic on his way to victory over Kyle Edmund at the US Open in New York on Wednesday, Septemeber 2. EPA

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  Houston Rockets forward Robert Covington, left, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder battle for a loose ball during the second half of game seven of the first round of the 2020 NBA Play-offs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida. USA TODAY Sports

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  UAE Team Emirates rider Alexander Kristoff, left, celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win Stage 1 of the Tour de France on Saturday, August 29. AFP

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  Competitors line-up at the start of La Solitaire du Figaro solo sailing race on Sunday, August 30. AFP

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  England ODI and T20 captain Eoin Morgan takes a catch during fielding practice at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, on Thursday, September 3. Getty

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  Polish athlete Pawel Wojciechowski during the pole vault at the IAAF Diamond League exhibition event, in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday, September 2. AFP

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  Houston Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke in action during the first innings against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park, on Saturday, August 29. USA TODAY Sports

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  Jockey PJ McDonald riding Publicist victory in the Every Race Live On RacingTV Nursery at Kempton Park Racecourse in England, on Tuesday, September 1. Getty

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  English golfer Garrick Porteous plays his third shot on the fourth hole during Round 1 of the Andalucia Masters at Real Club Valderrama in Spain, on Thursday, September 3. Getty

This week saw the return of two major sports events being played under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cycling's greatest race – the Tour de France – began last weekend and saw a superb opening stage for UAE Team Emirates.

The veteran Norwegian sprinter Alexander Kristoff surged home to secure the first yellow jersey at this year's race, with world champion Mads Pedersen second and Cees Bol third.

In Stage 4, Kristoff's teammate Tadej Pogacar secured second place behind fellow Slovenian Primoz Roglic to earn the white jersey for fastest young rider.

On the tennis court, the US Open kicked off at Flushing Meadows in New York without any spectators in attendance.

Former World No 1 Andy Murray, having recovered from a career-saving hip operation, showed he has lost none of his fighting qualities after coming back from two sets down to beat Yoshihito Nishioka.

World No 1Novak Djokovic suffered no such first-round problems as he beat Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-4, 6-1.

In the women's draw, there was mixed fortunes for the Williams sisters: Serena defeated Kristie Ahn in straight sets, while Venus was beaten in Round 1 for the first tie in her career as she lost to Karolina Muchova.

Top seed Karolina Pliskova crashed out in the second round, losing 6-1, 7-6 to Caroline Garcia.

You can see a selection of the best images from the action in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next picture, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.