The Sports Matrix: Monday 22 August 2011

Tendulkar stands in England’s way

England are closing in on a final day victory in the fourth Test. India are 162 runs behind with seven wickets remaining. Sachin Tendulkar, remains in on 35, and may have to score his 100th international hundred today to prevent a 4-0 whitewash. MORE

Murray well set for US Open after win

Andy Murray became only the second player this year to beat Novak Djokovic, taking the final of the Cincinnati Masters. Djokovic retired when trailing 3-0 in the second set, after Murray won the first set 6-4. The US Open begins next Monday. MORE

Redknapp urges Spurs to forget past

Tottenham Hotspur start their league campaign tonight with an away game at Manchester United, where they have not won since 1989, although Harry Redknapp hopes to ignore their record. “I don’t look too much at what’s happened in the past.” MORE

Hall the difference for Hull KR victory

Hull KR maintained their hopes of a Super League play-off place, with a 24-22 home victory over third-placed St Helens, thanks in no small part to Craig Hall’s crucial try. Rovers remain a point behind their city rivals, Hull, with two games remaining.

Chelsea agree deal to sign £23m Mata

Chelsea have reached an agreement “in principle” to sign Spanish winger Juan Mata from Valencia, according to the Spanish club. The 23-year-old winger will cost £23.5m. Andre Villas-Boas said on Saturday that Mata could “add to any squad in the world”.

Team Sky’s Sutton wins Spanish stage

Team Sky’s Chris Sutton sprinted to victory at stage two of the Vuelta a Espana yesterday in Playas de Oriheula, over a minute ahead of Mark Cavendish. “To win and to deliver it for all of Team Sky is a dream come true,” Sutton said. “I can’t believe it.”

Opinion: James Lawton

It sounds like sacrilege but the unavoidable truth is that Arsène Wenger is not a god. He is a working football manager, who, no more than his most obscure rival, cannot be detached from the most basic demands of the job. MORE

Mancini warns Arsenal over Nasri

Roberto Mancini has warned that Manchester City could give up on the signing of Arsenal’s Samir Nasri if the midfielder plays on Wednesday against Udinese and is cup-tied for the rest of the competition. After watching City go top of the Premier League having beaten Bolton Wanderers 3-2, Mancini said that it would be a “big problem” if Nasri played. “I hope that we can have Samir Nasri [today],” he said. “I hope that we can have him in the next day but I don’t know when. We still have 10 days. We need some players if we want to complete our team. It’s a big problem because we have followed Nasri for 40 days.” Mancini earlier saw City win 3-2 at Bolton, thanks to goals from David Silva, Gareth Barry and Edin Dzeko. Ivan Klasnic and Kevin Davies scored for Bolton, and Manciniwas frustrated that his players had conceded two “stupid” goals. MORE