The Sport Matrix: Wednesday 22 April 2015

Blackburn keep Lions fearing drop

Millwall missed out on the chance to close the gap on fourth-from -bottom Rotherham as they lost 2-0 at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship last night. Rudy Gestede put the hosts ahead at Ewood Park with 12 minutes remaining before a late breakaway from Jordan Rhodes sealed the win to leave the visitors four points from safety with just two matches remaining.

City’s Touré open to new challenges

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré is ready for “new challenges” and will not stay at a club simply to collect wages. Touré could be part of an Etihad summer clear-out as the club look to reshape after a poor season. “No amount of wages will make me stay if I feel that I no longer belong or if no challenge exists. I will always go where I am offered new challenges,” the Ivorian international, 31, said.

Villa and Reading charged by FA

Aston Villa and Reading have been charged by the Football Association after crowd disturbances following their FA Cup sixth-round wins. The clubs state Villa and Reading failed to prevent spectators invading the pitch following the clubs’ victories over West Bromwich Albion and Bradford respectively. Jonathan Moss will officiate the 30 May final between holders Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Evans’ 10-year reign at top ends

Reanne Evans’ 10-year reign as women’s world champion is over after the 29-year-old from Dudley lost 4-2 to Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee in yesterday’s semi-finals in Leeds.

Ng went on to win the final later by beating England’s Emma Bonney 6-2.

Evans said: “The run had to come to an end some time, but well played Ng On Yee. Congratulations to the new ladies world champion. Let’s hope her win ignites interest in the Far East. I’ll be back stronger than ever. It’s great to have rivalry in any sport, onwards and upwards for the ladies game.”

Bonney had earlier beaten Jaique Ip of Hong Kong 4-1 in the semi-finals.

Earlier this month, Evans tried to become the first woman to qualify for the men’s World Championship but lost 10-8 to Ken Doherty in qualifying.

Britain goes for grass in Davis Cup

Great Britain’s Davis Cup World Group quarter-final against France will take place on grass at The Queen’s Club between 17 and 19 July. It is Britain’s first home quarter-final since 1986 and Leon Smith, captain of the GB side, said: “Our British team have all had very good results as individuals at Queen’s Club, in particular Andy Murray, having won the event on three occasions.”