The Sports Matrix: Friday 3 June 2011
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Your support makes all the difference.Murray ready for Nadal challenge
Despite a tournament burdened by injury, Andy Murray will attempt to become the first Briton in 74 years to reach the men’s final at Roland Garros when he takes on Rafael Nadal in the semi-final this afternoon. “I can definitely win,” Murray declared. MORE
Holder McDowell off to good start
The defending Wales Open champion Graeme McDowell fired a first-round score of 67 yesterday to finish three shots behind Keith Horne at Celtic Manor. “The golf course is playing pretty tough but I’m happy with how I played,” he said. MORE
Froch: No hiding place in Super Six
WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch, who takes on Glen Johnson in the Super Six semi-final tomorrow, admits the tournament has been hard: “It has been about quality fights and not avoiding people.” MORE
Schiavone to face staggered Li
Francesca Schiavone, the reigning champion, will meet Li Na in tomorrow’s women’s final after both won their semis in straight sets. Schiavone defeated Marion Bartoli, while Li beat Maria Sharapova. “I never believed I could be in the final,” Li said. MORE
Fallon could be barred from Derby
Kieren Fallon was last night at the centre of a legal attempt to prevent him riding a leading fancy for the Derby. The six-times champion jockey will not find out until 10.30am today whether an injunction will be granted to stop him riding Recital tomorrow. MORE
Strauss looks to clinch Test series
England captain Andrew Strauss is backing his bowlers to inspire an early series victory over Sri Lanka in the second Test, starting today. “There’s a real confidence in our bowling unit.” he said. “As a group they believe they are a match for anyone.” MORE
Piggott: If I could still ride...
Nine-times Derby winner, and arguably the finest jockey of all time Lester Piggott tells i about the differences in racing now to when he was competing: “The big races are worth 10 times more now. If I could still ride a couple of races a week, you know.” MORE
Walcott set to start Euro qualifier
Fabio Capello is expected to bring Theo Walcott back into the England team for their Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland tomorrow in a 4-3-3 formation, with Darren Bent as the centre-forward. The 22-year-old missed the last two internationals. MORE
Henson desperate for World Cup spot
Gavin Henson insists he is ready to take the World Cup lifeline offered by Wales coach Warren Gatland when he lines up against the Barbarians tomorrow. “This is massive for me,” the 29-year-old said. “I don’t want to watch another World Cup on the television.” MORE
Opinion: James Lawton
The Test figures of Kevin Pietersen are of course still imposing – 5,669 Test runs at an average of 48.04 – but running through them is the wound first inflicted by Daniel Vettori and now re-opened by Rangana Herath. MORE
Hughes leaves Fulham to pave way for Villa
Mark Hughes quit as Fulham manager yesterday and, although he denied there was another club involved, is heavily expected to take the vacant position at Aston Villa. “I hope the supporters and all those connected with the club will understand I wish to move on to further my experiences,” he said. “This decision to leave Fulham has not been influenced by any outside party.” The 47-year-old exercised the break clause in his two-year contract to leave the club after only nine months in charge, and just after guiding the west London side into the Europa League next season, after they topped the fair play league. While Villa can still claim that no direct contact has been made, it is understood that it was their preference that Hughes should resign from Fulham first. MORE
Switzerland strike force full of holes
Switzerland arrive at Wembley tomorrow in the midst of a striker crisis. The Fulham defender Philippe Senderos is the second-top scorer in the squad with five international goals, one behind Bayer Leverkusen’s midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta. MORE
Surrey victorious after Davies knock
England t20 international Steven Davies hit an unbeaten 92 for Surrey last night as they began their t20 campaign with an eight-wicket win at The Oval over Gloucestershire. Gloucestershire finished on 155 for 8, and Surrey won with 19 balls to spare. MORE
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