The Sports Matrix: Friday 18 January 2013

Australian Open: Tenacious Robson clinches her place in third round

Laura Robson confirmed her status as one of the most exciting young talents in women's tennis by clinching a stunning 2-6, 6-3, 11-9 victory over world No 8 Petra Kvitova, left, yesterday, sending the Briton into third round of the Australian Open.

Robson recovered from 3-0 and 4-2 down in the third set and failed to serve out for the match when she led 6-5, but completed her victory in convincing fashion after breaking the Czech again.

"I never gave up," said Robson. "I thought: 'I've got to dig in here.' I think some matches you lose the belief a bit, whereas this one I felt like I could always win." MORE

Australian Open: Murray dismisses talk of beefing up

Andy Murray dismissed claims he is broadening across the chest after his 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win over Joao Sousa which earned a third-round tie tomorrow with Ricardas Berankis. "It's just because of the tightness of the T-shirt," said the Scot. MORE

Football: Rodgers: Suarez's dive 'unacceptable'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers took a calculated risk yesterday by declaring that Luis Suarez's behaviour had been "unacceptable" and "wrong". The comment came after the forward admitted to diving in his side's draw with Stoke at Anfield in October. MORE

Football: Pardew desperate to keep Coloccini

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says he will sit down with Fabricio Coloccini next week to try to "iron out the issues" affecting the defender, as he hopes to reverse his captain's intention to leave. MORE

Football: United get Schlupp but lose Fletcher

Manchester United have taken Leicester City's Jeff Schlupp on trial with a view to signing him on a permanent deal. But Darren Fletcher has been ruled out for the season after having surgery to resolve his long-term bowel condition. MORE

Golf: Mcllroy admits to 'rust' in Abu Dhabi

Rory McIlroy admitted he was rusty after scoring a three-over par 75 in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship. He said: "There was a bit of rust, not playing competitive golf for eight weeks." MORE

Football: Sandro sidelined for rest of season

Tottenham are set to face the rest of the season without their key midfielder Sandro after his knee surgery this week. The club have now put on hold any discussion of possible moves away from the club. MORE

Rugby Union: Easter out as Quins travel to Biarritz

Unbeaten Harlequins, who have already qualified for the next stage of the Heineken Cup, travel to south-west France to take on Biarritz tonight, No 8 Nick Easter will be left at home for the Quins. MORE

Cricket: Gibson set for Warwickshire post

Warwickshire are set to name West Indies' head coach Ottis Gibson as their new director of cricket. The role became vacant when Ashley Giles became England's limited-overs coach in November. MORE

Column: Ian Bell

A bunch of us tried to escape the team hotel here in Ranchi – not an easy task, given that fans are camped outside round the clock – for a nice relaxing 18 holes. MORE