The Sport Matrix: Friday 17 April 2015

Robson targeting the French Open

Former British No 1 Laura Robson hopes to return from 15 months out with injury at the French Open next month. The 21-year-old, who had wrist surgery a year ago, has not played since the 2014 Australian Open.

In the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters, Roger Federer was beaten 6-4 7-6 by Gael Monfils while Stanislas Wawrinka was routed 6-1 6-2 by Grigor Dimitrov.

Hughes keeps Kool head to win Craven

Kool Kompany ensured the Richard Hannon yard maintained its domination of the Novae Bloodstock Insurance Craven Stakes after hitting the mark in this year’s renewal at Newmarket.

Breaking smartly, the Richard Hughes-ridden 14-1 shot, who was giving weight away to his six rivals, took matters up from the fast-starting Nafaqa a furlong into the mile Group Three contest.

Nafaqa threatened to mount a serious challenge, but could not quite bridge the gap, with Kool Kompany maintaining a length-and-a-quarter gap, ensuring a fourth successive Craven win for the Hannon team. The Hannon-trained Moheet stayed on well to be third without threatening.

Hannon said: “He’s always been a very tough horse, but I was not sure if he’d stay a mile and he did have things marginally his own way out in front.

“People have not given him the respect he deserves, I don’t think there was anything flukey about the win. The third has run a good race, but he’s a bit immature.”

They think it’s Moldova ... it is now for defecting Cook

British taekwondo fighter Aaron Cook has bizarrely switched allegiance to Moldova following a long-standing row with British officials. The British Olympic Association could have blocked the change but chose not to.

The 24-year-old has been at loggerheads with GB Taekwondo since 2012, when he was overlooked for Olympic selection despite being the world No 1 at the time.

Cook has since refused to compete in British colours and, from 2013, has fought for the Isle of Man, being crowned European champion.

Under IOC guidelines the BOA could have blocked his nationality swap but opted not to.

BOA chief executive Bill Sweeney said: “Despite the fact that there is no legitimate case for nationality change here, the BOA cannot compel any athlete to represent the United Kingdom against his or her will.

“We are saddened by Aaron’s decision to make himself unavailable for selection for Team GB and to instead compete for Moldova but we wish him all the best for the future.”

Peterson reinstated after suspension

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who was suspended by the National Football League for using a tree branch to discipline his son, has been reinstated.

Peterson’s reinstatement is effective today and he will be free to participate in all scheduled activities with the Vikings, the NFL said in a statement last night.