The Sports Matrix: Thursday 23 June 2011
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Your support makes all the difference.Sweeting left with sour taste by Nadal
Reigning champion Rafael Nadal yesterday eased past the American Ryan Sweeting 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to take his place in the third round. The Spanish world No 1 survived a break from the world No 69 in the fourth game of the final set. MORE
Watson suffers injury in defeat
Heather Watson suffered from an elbow injury as she surrendered a set lead in losing 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round to France’s Mathilde Johansson. Compatriot Anne Keothavong also went out, losing her second-round tie against Petra Kvitova. MORE
Villas-Boas seeks unified Chelsea
Andre Villas-Boas began his reign at Chelsea yesterday pledging to “create a group dynamic of everybody getting together” at Stamford Bridge. The 33-year-old Portuguese becomes the fourth youngest manager in Premier League history. MORE
Morgan relishes break from Tests
England’s Eoin Morgan has admitted that he is desperate to return to the limited-overs version of the game, following the three-Test series against Sri Lanka. “It will get the juices flowing again,” he said ahead of the forthcoming one-day series. MORE
Allardyce seeks instant promotion
Sam Allardyce believes his experience will be crucial in helping West Ham gain promotion back to the Premier League. “Without sounding too arrogant,” he said, “the expertise I have gained will build a togetherness that can achieve promotion.” MORE
Sayers hopeful of fitness for 2012
Goldie Sayers hopes her injury problems are over as she continues her build-up to next summer’s Olympics. The javelin thrower has struggled with back, hip and knee injuries. “I’ve got to wrap myself in cotton wool between now and 2012,” she told i. MORE
Opinion: James Lawton
Even in defeat Date-Krumm made a case to be regarded as one of the most remarkable women to perform in a Grand Slam. The 40-year-old was stunningly close to turning back the clock in scarcely believable fashion. MORE
Robson’s recovery earns glamour tie with Sharapova
Teenager Laura Robson put on a spirited display last night as she fought back from one set down against Angelique Kerber to make the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time and earn a tie against former champion Maria Sharapova. After missing much of the season through injury, 17-year-old Robson lost the first set 6-4 before recovering to take the second on a tie-break. The 2008 junior Wimbledon champion led 4-0 in the third set before a late recovery from the German, ranked 77th in the world, pulled the score back to 4-3, only for Robson to see out the set and take the match 4-6, 7-6, 6-3. Robson’s victory gave Great Britain a third woman in the second round for the first time in seven years, following Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong’s victories earlier in the week. Robson now faces fifth seed Sharapova in the third match on No 1 court this afternoon. “I’m so happy!” she tweeted after the match. “Absolutely amazing atmosphere on court. Thank you all! Can’t wait to play Sharapova!” MORE
Bruce brings in reinforcements
Sunderland have completed the free signings of goalkeeper Kieren Westwood and midfielder Sebastian Larsson from Coventry and Birmingham respectively. Manager Steve Bruce also maintains an interest in Ipswich striker Connor Wickham. MORE
McIlroy admits debt to cousin
Rory McIlroy took his US Open trophy to hometown Holywood, admitting the debt he owed to his cousin, Fergus. The 12-year-old remarked on Rory’s putting after his Masters failure. “He told me he would work on it,” said Fergus, 12. “He did as well.” MORE
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