The Sports Matrix: Wednesday 4 July 2012

Meadows will not appeal against 800m exclusion

Jenny Meadows will not appeal against the selectors' decision to choose only Lynsey Sharp to compete in the women's 800 metres at the Olympic games.

The decision was a surprise after Meadows won medals at the World Championships and world and European Indoor Championships since 2009. She has been unable to race this year due to injury.

Although Meadows has made the Olympic A standard time, the selectors chose Sharp, who has not met the A standard but is in form, having won European silver last Friday.

"To be honest, I'm stunned that there will be only one competitor in the women's 800m," Meadows said, explaining her decision. "The scenario they've gone for would mean deselecting one athlete and I don't want to be the person to do that. Lynsey and her family and coaching team will be ecstatic and I couldn't deprive her of that. I've been in the situation in the past when I've not got picked and I've been absolutely devastated. I would never want to take her sweets away from her." MORE

Murray cautious before Ferrer game

Andy Murray refused to look ahead to the Wimbledon final before his quarter-final today against David Ferrer. "It's so far away," Murray said after completing his 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 win over Marin Cilic. "I'm playing against the world No 5 next," he said of Ferrer. MORE

Williams puts out champion Kvitova

Serena Williams is two wins away from a fifth Wimbledon singles title after powering past the champion, Petra Kvitova, 6-3, 7-5. "I am enjoying every minute of this," Williams said, "it's great to be in this position."

German pair move on to last eight

Two Germans reached the quarter-finals of the men's singles yesterdays. Florian Mayer beat Richard Gasquet in four sets and will now face Novak Djokovic. Philipp Kohlschreiber beat Brian Baker in straight sets and will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Woakes ready if Anderson is out

Jimmy Anderson faces a fitness test before England's third one-day international against Australia. The fast bowler did not train yesterday due to the groin strain which kept him out of the second ODI. Chris Woakes was called up as cover. MORE

Wiggins safe after 'dangerous' day

Bradley Wiggins managed to avoid injury after a series of collisions, in which his team-mate Kanstantsin Sivtsov broke a shin bone. Wiggins kept his second position overall behind Fabian Cancellara, who described the day as "really, really dangerous". MORE

Van Commenee in dark over Idowu

Team GB's athletics coach, Charles van Commenee, said he did not know if Phillips Idowu was fit, having not spoken to him since last summer. "He was injured and did not compete at the trials," the Dutchman said. "I don't communicate with him directly." MORE

AVB 'privileged' to be Spurs manager

Andre Villas-Boas said he was "privileged" to take over at Tottenham. "It is a great club with a strong tradition and fantastic support," said the former Chelsea manager. "This is one of the most exciting positions in the league." MORE

Sturridge taken to hospital

The Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge is undergoing tests for suspected meningitis. The 22-year-old is understood to have fallen ill over the weekend and to have been admitted to St Mary's hospital in Paddington, London, for tests. MORE

Opinion: Jack Pitt-Brooke

If Andre Villas-Boas can learn from his failure at Chelsea, and get the Tottenham players on his side, there is no reason he cannot make the most of his obvious talent at White Hart Lane. MORE