The Sports Matrix: Monday 18 July 2011

Cavendish wary despite large lead

Mark Cavendish remains cautious about his chances of wearing the green jersey in Paris despite holding a 37-point lead after winning his fourth stage of this year’s Tour. “It’s far from guaranteed,” he said following yesterday’s victory in Montpellier. MORE

Honda’s Pedrosa wins in Germany

Dani Pedrosa returned to winning ways at the Sachsenring yesterday. The Repsol Honda rider saw off Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo and his team-mate Casey Stoner in the German Grand Prix to win for the first time since breaking a collarbone in May. MORE

Late show secures Rail Cup for Leigh

A last-minute Tom Armstrong try secured the Northern Rail Cup for Leigh yesterday as they edged past Halifax 20-16 at Bloomfield Road. Despite trailing for most of the match, Leigh prevailed with just 20 seconds remaining. MORE

McIlroy frustrated by bad weather

Rory McIlory, the US Open champion who had a poor Open, has blamed the weather. “I’m not a fan of tournaments where the outcome is predicted so much by the weather,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting back to playing in nice conditions in America.” MORE

Broad expected to be chosen one

England’s 12-man squad for Thursday’s first Test against India at Lord’s, beginning Thursday, suggests that Stuart Broad or Tim Bresnan will take the final spot, with Broad the likely inclusion, despite having a Test record inferior to Bresnan’s. MORE

Lewis to remain an amateur for now

Tom Lewis will resist calls to turn professional after winning the Silver Medal for the highest amateur finish at Sandwich. “I don’t think I’ll turn pro right away,” the 20-year-old, who led after the opening day, said. “I’ve got things still to learn.” MORE

Clarke: Cole can do well at Liverpool

The Liverpool assistant manager, Steve Clarke, has backed midfielder Joe Cole to stay at the club after a disappointing debut season at Anfield. “He has had a good summer,” Clarke said. “He has got a big contribution to make to the future.” MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Most of all, Darren Clarke represents a belief that, however unpromising your situation, the chances of remaking yourself are limited. So you should make the best of things and hope you can turn some things around. MORE

Clarke ends long wait at Sandwich

Darren Clarke triumphed at Sandwich yesterday, winning the Open by three shots; the first major of a long career. Clarke had to hold off a surge by Phil Mickelson, who recorded a front nine of 30 in pursuit of the Northern Irishman. Mickelson could not maintain his start, though, and Clarke’s par round of 70 was enough to leave him on five-under, three shots ahead of Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. The success was another golfing triumph for Northern Ireland after the last two US Opens were won by first Graeme McDowell and then Rory McIlroy. Clarke dedicated his win to his late wife who passed away in 2006. “It’s been a long and bumpy road, I have had some good things happen to me and some bad things, but I’ve had so much support from an awful lot of people,” said Clarke. “I’d like to thank my parents and my fiancee Alison, and there’s someone up there watching as well.” MORE

Molinari applauds ‘amazing’ support

Edoardo Molinari has praised the spectators at Sandwich this weekend. “[They] were amazing,” the Italian wrote in i. “Thousands sat for hours and got drenched, but it did not dampen their enthusiasm. Their knowledge of the game is second to none.” MORE

Arsenal may lose out on Jagielka

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger would like to sign Everton’s defender Phil Jagielka as the Frenchman tries to solve the troublesome absence of a commanding, injury-free centre-back. But the 28-year-old may reject a move to the Emirates Stadium. MORE