The Sports Matrix: Wednesday 1 June 2011

Injured Murray limps into quarters

Andy Murray overcame an ankle injury to complete his victory over Victor Troicki yesterday to set up a quarter-final against Juan Ignacio Chela today. However, Murray was given crutches to use before yesterday’s match, and is taking pills to deal with the injury. MORE

Federer to take on Djokovic in semi

Roger Federer will take on Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the French Open on Friday. The world No 3 beat the home favourite Gaël Monfils 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 yesterday to set up a semi-final meeting with Djokovic, who is undefeated in 43 matches.

Scot Brough earns England call-up

Scrum-half Danny Brough is the only new face in England’s squad for the match against Exiles later this month. The former Scotland captain has been rewarded with his first call-up after his fine displays for Huddersfield.

Tributes pour in for retired Scholes

Paul Scholes retired from football yesterday, aged 36, amid a torrent of plaudits, from his manager Sir Alex Ferguson calling him an “unbelievable player” to Wayne Rooney’s “he’s the best I’ve played with and against”. He will become a coach at Man United. MORE

Trott wins England cricketer award

Jonathan Trott’s excellent form has been rewarded after being named England cricketer of the year last night. Surrey’s Jade Dernbach has replaced the injured James Anderson in the squad for the second Test match against Sri Lanka. MORE

Capello must win over squad sceptics

The result of England’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland on Saturday could expose Fabio Capello’s recent decisions. Win, and they are two wins away from qualification, but lose, and decisions like reinstating John Terry as captain could be costly. MORE

Durham pair turn screw on Lancs

Ben Stokes (185) and Dale Benkenstein (137) hit 322 runs between them yesterday to help give Durham a massive 204-run lead against Lancashire. It was the biggest partnership for any wicket since Durham joined the Championship. MORE

Downing and Young set to leave

While talks continued yesterday to end Aston Villa manager Gérard Houllier’s brief reign at Villa Park, both Ashley Young and Stewart Downing signalled from the England set-up that they will be also be leaving the club during the summer. MORE

Contador free to defend Tour crown

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador can take part in this year’s race in July after his Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing was postponed until August. He was banned after failing a drugs test last July but cleared by the Spanish Cycling Federation.

Opinion: James Lawton

Paul Scholes retirement leaves Ryan Giggs as the sole survivor of Manchester United’s “golden generation”. His tackling was derided but every other part of his game was nothing less than an unremitting glory. MORE

FA: delay of vote should be ‘matter of principle’

Despite asking for today’s Fifa presidential vote to be delayed, the Football Association’s chairman David Bernstein is almost certain Fifa will allow Sepp Blatter another four-year term. Bernstein last night said the decision to to call for a postponement was a “matter of principle”. The FA was joined by the Scottish Football Association, asking for a “three- to six-month postponement”, and Bernstein spent last night seeking one more association to enable them to ask Fifa’s Congress to amend the agenda. Under Fifa regulations the association needs the support of two others to force a vote. MORE

Behind the scenes at Barça’s academy

Carles Folguera, director of La Masia, Barcelona’s prolific youth academy, tells i that he doubts players such as Iniesta,Pedro, Messi or Xavi would have made it at an English academy because “In England, physical prowess takes priority.” MORE

McDowell returns to Celtic Manor

Graeme McDowell is hoping to repeat his Welsh Open win, which led to his first success in a major, when the event starts tomorrow. “It was a turning point,” he tells i. A US Open win and the winning Ryder Cup putt quickly followed last year. MORE