The Sport Matrix: Friday 05 July 2013

Murray ready after taking ‘golden’ advice from Fergie

Andy Murray has received advice from the retired Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the world No 2’s Wimbledon semi-final against Jerzy Janowicz today.

Murray said: “Getting that sort of advice from someone like him is gold dust. I’m not going to be sharing too much of it.”

Tim Henman, the four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, is confident Murray can reach his second straight Wimbledon final. Henman said: “He has won a Grand Slam but there is still a burning desire to add to that.” page 58

Heroic Lisicki to play Bartoli in final

Sabine Lisicki will play Marion Bartoli in tomorrow’s women’s singles final. Lisicki came through a nail-biting semi-final match with Agnieszka Radwanska, winning 6-4 2-6 9-7. Bartoli, meanwhile, defeated Kirsten Flipkens 6-1 6-2. pages 60 & 61

Djokovic wary of Del Potro’s serve

World No 1 Novak Djokovic is fully aware of the danger of Juan Martin del Potro’s serve heading into today’s men’s semi-final. Djokovic said: “He’s very tall so he’ll use that serve as a powerful weapon. And of course the forehand, his signature shot.” page 59

Deans turns to Smith for decider

After Lions head coach Warren Gatland made his controversial decision to drop Brian O’Driscoll, Australia coach Robbie Deans has shown his ruthless streak by dropping Michael Hooper and recalling flanker George Smith for tomorrow’s third Test. page 56

Broad ‘100 per cent’ fit for the Ashes

Stuart Broad says he is “100 per cent fit” for the Ashes after having a cortisone injection in his shoulder. He is set to play in next Wednesday’s first Test but doubts persist about how many of the next nine Tests against Australia Broad will be able to play. page 57

Rooney handed incentive to stay

Wayne Rooney’s future at Manchester United is likely to hinge on the forward’s willingness to accept a highly-incentivised contract if the 27-year-old is to take home the same £250,000-a-week pay packet he was awarded in his last deal. page 55

Drivers threaten to stop German GP

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association say that they will not race the German Grand Prix if there are signs of further problems with Pirelli’s tyres this weekend. The GPDA expressed their “deepest concern” over the events at the British GP last Sunday. page 53

Crash stops stage win for Cavendish

Britain’s Mark Cavendish failed to take a widely-anticipated second straight stage victory yesterday after a crash in the final hour of racing. Cavendish was forced instead to settle for fourth place behind the German winner André Greipel in Montpellier. page 53