The Sports Matrix: Wednesday 6 July 2011

Woods misses Open to protect injury

Tiger Woods has confirmed that he will miss his second Open Championsip in four years, causing a mixture of disappointment and concern in the dressing room for the future of the former world No 1. Woods, 35, had previously played the tournament every year since 1997, winning the competition three times, but sits out next week’s tournament at Royal St George’s due to a leg injury. “I’ve been advised that I should not play,” Woods said. “I am only going to come back when I’m 100 per cent ready. I do not want to risk further injury. That’s different for me, but I’m being smarter this time.” Padraig Harrington summed up the mood of Woods’ peers: “It’s unfortunate for the game, the name we look out for the most.” MORE

Fabregas forced to sit tight and wait

Arsenal are keen to get the highest price possible for captain Cesc Fabregas, who returned to training yesterday. Barcelona and Real Madrid have both shown interest in the 24-year-old midfielder, with Barcelona having already had a £27m bid rejected. MORE

City in no rush to sell Tevez

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak is prepared to force Carlos Tevez to remain at Eastlands until his £50m valuation is met. Tevez wants a move to Italy, but al-Mubarak will keep the forward – on a five-year contract – if that figure is not met. MORE

England breeze into quarter-finals

Fine finishes from Ellen White and Rachel Yankey secured England’s progress into the World Cup quarter-finals. A deserved 2-0 victory over Japan in Augsburg put England top of Group B and set up a last-eight match with France on Saturday. MORE

Gerrard will miss summer Asia tour

Liverpool have decided not to risk captain Steven Gerrard for the forthcoming pre-season friendlies in the Far East. Gerrard has not played since March, and while recent scan results were positive, he will stay to continue rehabilitation at Melwood. MORE

Evans holds off Contador surge

Cadel Evans withstood a late charge from Alberto Contador yesterday to win stage four of the Tour de France, as a day of racing was reduced to a dramatic sprint for the line. Bradley Wiggins finished 11th to move up to sixth in the overall rankings. MORE

Swann defends out-of-form Broad

Graeme Swann has stood up for team-mate Stuart Broad over his recent lack of wickets. “We need to lay off Broady a bit,” he said. “He seems to be the scapegoat at the minute. But he is still one of the best bowlers in England, still certainly in my top two.” MORE

Foster banned for Essex indiscipline

James Foster, the Essex captain, was banned for two matches last night for his side’s repeated disciplinary offences. Essex were fined £5,000, as five players from the county have been found guilty of misdemeanours on the field in the last year. MORE

Star Witness gears up for July Cup

The Australian sprinter Star Witness produced an eyecatching practice run at Newmarket yesterday, in preparation for Saturday’s July Cup. “Until the pressure of the race you can never be sure,” said rider Steven Arnold, “but that felt good.” MORE

Injury-hit Senior released by Leeds

Keith Senior intends to remain in Super League after being released by Leeds. The 35-year-old, who will make a farewell Boxing Day friendly appearance, had already been ruled out for the remainder of the season following major knee surgery. MORE

Button desperate for British success

Jenson Button has reiterated his determination to win the British Grand Prix at the 12th attempt on Sunday. “[It] is a big gap in my trophy cabinet,” the McLaren driver said. “It’s the one I would love to win... not so much for the trophy as for the British fans.” MORE

England look to cut out the silly errors

England play Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge tonight, hoping to keep the one-day series alive. Graeme Swann says they need to improve their “match-swing”, a measure taking into account wides, no balls and misfields. MORE

James Lawton

The worst of the Carlos Tevez ordeal may be over for Manchester City. If they want to be one of the most important clubs in football, they must know that they should turn their backs on Tevez’s pantomime emotions. MORE