The Sports Matrix: Friday 24 June 2011

Pickford beaten by opposite number

England Under-17 international Jordan Pickford entered the record books yesterday after becoming the first goalkeeper to concede to his opposing number in a Fifa finals competition. The late strike by Canada’s Quillan Roberts earnt a 2-2 draw, after Adam Morgan and Blair Turgott had given England the lead. MORE

United sign Young but miss Varane

As England midfielder Ashley Young completed his £17m transfer from Aston Villa, Manchester United missed out on another long-standing target. French club Lens announced that their highly-prized young centre-back Raphaël Varane, 19, would be moving to Real Madrid for £10m. MORE

Smith admits to drinking problem

Kelly Smith has admitted to a former drinking problem as she struggled with injury. “I’d drink every day until I passed out,” the striker tells i. “It would spiral out of control.” Smith is expected to lead England’s attack in the upcoming Women’s World Cup. MORE

Kieswetter aims to take T20 chance

Craig Kieswetter believes he is in the perfect position to make the most of his recall to the England side for the limited-overs internationals against Sri Lanka. “I had a really good winter,” he said ahead of tomorrow’s Twenty20 match. “I’m really happy to be back.” MORE

British pair happy to stay at McLaren

Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton have both dismissed reports linking them with rival F1 teams. “I’ve a pretty solid contract,” Hamilton said, “hopefully I can continue on.” Button also denied the rumours: “None of it is true,” he said. MORE

Wiggins wary of ‘Boris bike’ dangers

Triple Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins has highlighted the perils of London’s bicycle rental scheme. “It’s very dangerous,” he said. “Most people don’t wear helmets and can’t even ride, which just creates more danger.” MORE

Flying Federer springs forward

Roger Federer put on a dominant display under the Centre Court roof last night, the six-time champion crushingAdrian Mannarino 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 to move into the third round. MORE

Nick Bollettieri's A-Z of SW19

I is for indoors, and boy have we needed that at times this week. Centre Court under the roof is a whole different experience but it’s one I suspect may be to Andy Murray’s liking.

J is for John. And there is only one Johnwhen it comes to Wimbledon. McEnroe is now a great commentator but back home he’s trying to put some stars back into Stars and Stripes tennis. Nick Bollettieri is the world’s greatest tennis coach – Agassi, Sharapova and the Williams sisters are a few of those to pass through his academy. He writes for i during Wimbledon. MORE

Li Na shocked by wild card Lisicki

A 21-year-old wild card provided the biggest upset so far yesterday, Germany’s Sabine Lisicki staging a superb recovery to beat China’s French Open champion and third seed, Li Na. The world No 62 saved two match points en route to her 3-6, 6-4, 8-6 victory. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Novak Djokovic simply flew into the air, suspended, literally, by the force of his belief that maybe his greatest triumph – a Wimbledon title to add to his two Australian Opens – may now be just over a week away. MORE

Serena angered by Centre Court shunning of sisters

Serena Williams last night suggested there was a conspiracy to keep herself and elder sister Venus off Wimbledon’s main show courts after the defending champion was made to play her second round tie on the No 2 Court – the same venue where Venus competed in the first round on Monday. The pair have won nine of the last 11 women’s singles title between them, as well as taking four doubles titles. “They like to put us on Court Two, me and Venus, for whatever reason,” Serena said. “I haven’t figured it out yet. Maybe one day we’ll figure it out.” Asked about the treatment of their male equivalents, Serena replied: “They’re never moved across. Actually, Venus and I have won more Wimbledons together than a lot of the players. It doesn’t look like they’re going to change. I don’t make it a big issue. I think at some point maybe I should.” Venus plays her third round match, against Maria Sanchez, on No 1 court this afternoon. MORE

British women are forced to wait

Elena Baltacha and Laura Robson were frustrated by the weather as their second-round matches were postponed due to rain delays. Both will seek to complete their games today, alongside Andy Murray, who plays his third-round tie against Ivan Ljubicic. MORE

Hewitt falls short in epic encounter

Former champion Lleyton Hewitt lost a two-set lead in an four-hour marathon on Centre Court, losing to fifth seed Robin Soderling 6-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. The Australian, champion in 2002, was broken in his final service game in each of the last three sets. MORE