Nadal, Federer close on quarterfinal clash

(CNN) -- He may be in need of match practice on hard courts, but Rafael Nadal had the good fortune of reaching the last 16 of the Masters Series 1000 tournament in Indian Wells without hitting a ball in anger Monday.

His third-round opponent Leonardo Mayer of Argentina withdrew before the start of their match on the Stadium Court, citing a back problem.

Nadal, who has slipped to No. 5 in the world rankings after a seven-month injury layoff, made his comeback last month in three clay court tournaments in South America, testing his troublesome knee.

He beat Mayer, his second career win over him, in the quarterfinals in Acapulco before going on to claim the title in confident style.

But the eyes of the tennis world were on Nadal as he returned to the more unforgiving hard court surface for the first time in 346 days with a second round match against Ryan Harrison of the United States Saturday.

Read: Nadal warms up for Indian Wells with title win

The Spanish maestro came through that test 7-6 6-2 to advance to the third round of the tournament for the ninth time, bidding for his third title as the Californian event.

He will now get an extra day's rest before facing Ernests Gulbis of Latvia for a place in the quarterfinals Wednesday.

Gulbis, renowned for his fiery temperament, smashed his racket during the first set of his match against Andreas Seppi as he lost five straight games to concede it 7-5.

But he recovered with fine play in the second set before setting up victory as he broke his Italian opponent in the seventh game of the decider.

Gulbis served it out to win 5-7 6-3 6-4 to earn a crack at the 11-time grand slam champion.

If Nadal, looking to defend his French Open crown on his favorite clay surface later this year, can get past Gulbis, he is likely to face his first big test with a possible last eight clash against his great rival Roger Federer, the second seed.

Defending champion Federer, who said before the start of the tournament that he was "excited" by the return of Nadal to top flight action, thrashed Croatia's Ivan Dodig 6-3 6-1 to set up a fourth-round clash with his friend and fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.

Wawrinka, the 18th seed, won 6-4 7-5 against Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt, who on Saturday beat last year's losing finalist John Isner.

Tenth seed Richard Gasquet set up a last-16 clash with world No. 6 Tomas Berdych, while fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon will take on big-serving South African Kevin Anderson.

In the women's draw, top seed Victoria Azarenka came from a set down to beat Belgian No. 28 Kirsten Flipkens 3-6 6-3 6-0.

The world No. 2 won 12 points in a row to extend her winning streak to 16 matches and set up a fourth-round clash with Poland's Urszula Radwanska.

"I'm really happy that I find the ability to turn around my matches no matter what the circumstances are on the court," said the Belorussian, who was criticized after taking a lengthy medical timeout before winning her Australian Open semifinal against Sloane Stephens in late January.

"To know when to take your opportunities is a learning experience. I'm glad I'm starting to master that."

Australian seventh seed Sam Stosur also went to three sets before beating China's Peng Shuai 6-3 3-6 6-2, earning a meeting with Germany's Mona Barthel -- who beat former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic 6-1 3-6 6-0.

Caroline Wozniacki, another former No. 1, went through to the last 16 with a 6-2 6-1 win over Elena Vesnina and will next face another Russian in 10th seed Nadia Petrova.

German fourth seed Angelique Kerber also progressed, beating Belgium's No. 30 Yanina Wickmayer 6-1 7-6 (7-4) to set up a clash with 95th-ranked Spaniard Garbine Muguruza.

Via: Nadal, Federer close on quarterfinal clash

Nadal to face Gulbis after getting walkover

(CNN) -- He may be in need of match practice on hard courts, but Rafael Nadal had the good fortune of reaching the last 16 of the Masters Series 1000 tournament in Indian Wells without hitting a ball in anger Monday.

His third round opponent Leonardo Mayer of Argentina withdrew before the start of their match on the Stadium Court, citing a back problem.

Nadal, who has slipped to No.5 in the world rankings after a seven-month injury layoff, made his comeback last month in three clay court tournaments in South America, testing his troublesome knee.

He beat Mayer, his second career win over him, in the quarterfinals in Acapulco before going on to claim the title in confident style.

But the eyes of the tennis world were on Nadal as he returned to the more unforgiving hard court surface for the first time in 346 days with a second round match against Ryan Harrison of the United States Saturday.

Read: Nadal warms up for Indian Wells with title win

The Spanish maestro came through that test 7-6 6-2 to advance to the third round of the tournament for the ninth time, bidding for his third title as the Californian event.

He will now get an extra day's rest before facing Ernests Gulbis of Latvia for a place in the quarterfinals Wednesday.

Gulbis, renowned for his fiery temperament, smashed his racket during the first set of his match against Andreas Seppi as he lost five straight games to concede it 7-5.

But he recovered with fine play in the second set before setting up victory as he broke his Italian opponent in the seventh game of the decider.

Gulbis served it out to win 5-7 6-3 6-4 to earn a crack at the 11-time grand slam champion.

If Nadal, looking to defend his French Open crown on his favorite clay surface later this year, can get past Gulbis, he is likely to face his first big test with a possible last eight clash against his great rival Roger Federer, the second seed.

Federer, who said before the start of the tournament that he was "excited" by the return of Nadal to top flight action, was playing Ivan Dodig of Croatia in a later third round match as he defends his title.

Via: Nadal to face Gulbis after getting walkover

Bromance of tennis' 'marathon men'

Open Court is CNN's monthly tennis show. Click here for program times and latest features.

(CNN) -- You'd think John Isner and Nicolas Mahut would be sick of the sight of each other.

But from the ashes of their record-breaking marathon match at Wimbledon in 2010 -- officially the longest in tennis history -- an enduring "bromance" has blossomed.

It had to, after the pair walked on court for a low-key first-round match in the men's singles draw, limping off three days later after 11 hours of tennis, battered, bruised, fatigued, but lauded as heroes the world over.

Even if either should go on to win a glut of major titles in their respective careers, it is entirely possible they will still forever be known for "the marathon match."

Read: U.S. grand slam drought: Is the NFL killing American tennis?

Far from resenting the attention their epic encounter brought them, the pair are firm friends; not surprising, given they are the only players on the planet to know just how much that eight-hour final set, which ended 70-68 in Isner's favour, can take from you.

"I'm actually really close with him," Isner told CNN's Open Court.

"Prior to that match, I knew him but it seemed in passing, I'd give him a head nod, nothing more than that but from that match, I've realized that he is one of the nicest, classiest guys on tour.

"He actually is a really good friend of mine. We keep in touch all the time so we developed a friendship from that match, obviously sharing a court for three days."

Isner is now officially the highest ranked American in the world following Andy Roddick's retirement, but try as he might to move on from the marathon match it is almost always top of the list when tennis fans approach him.

So what was it like to be involved in an episode that transfixed the world?

"Yeah, it was crazy. I don't think people will remember the fact that I won that match. I think it would be more the fact that we played it ... Nicolas Mahut, he was a warrior that day," Isner said.

"I do hear it all the time, it's something that's going to stick with me forever but I've feel like I've done some things out of that match. I've broken the top 10.

"I had a few marquee wins under my belt so I've done some good things to try to shed that label but it's up to me to keep doing more."

Many expected a tight encounter, given the serving prowess of both players and Isner won that battle too, firing down 112 aces compared to Mahut's 103.

For a player who stands at 6 foot 9 inches, Isner's serve is undoubtedly the most powerful weapon in his armory. When it fires, few in the world can live with him, even in this golden age of Federer, Murray, Djokovic and Nadal.

He has five ATP Tour titles to his name, winning twice at the Newport and Winston-Salem events. Last weekend he competed at Indian Wells, where in 2012 he saw off world No. 1 Novak Djokovic before losing to Roger Federer in the final. On Saturday he was beaten in his opening match by Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt.

"If I can get that opportunity where I can play those guys ranked in the top five of the world, that's when I usually see myself raise my game," Isner explains.

"I like playing on those big stages and I think that's one of the main reasons why I beat Federer, I beat Djokovic and I almost beat Rafa at the French Open of all places. That's why you play this game -- to get a crack at those guys, try to take it to them.

"Outside of my serve, I think my forehand is my best shot," he added. "It's no secret. My game isn't rocket science. The more aggressive I am, the better my results are going to be.

"I have to be really aggressive with my forehand. Something that I'm constantly working on. I need to return better. If I can do that, I'll see a lot more success but my serve is my weapon and that's something that I rely on all the time."

But while that towering frame benefits his imposing serve, it can also hinder his movement around the court. No surprise then, that Isner invests a huge amount of training time on improving his on-court coverage.

"I'm always trying to work on my weaknesses which in the main part is my movement. I can improve that aspect.," he said.

"If I can improve my movement just a little bit, my game will improve a lot so other than that, my height certainly helps me with my serve first and foremost but it's also a bit of a detriment when it comes to moving around the court."

"The game is pretty physical today where you see these guys running down balls. You can't hit a winner on some of these guys but for me, that's not the case."

Isner may have found it difficult to shake off the "marathon man" tag but there are some other things that have stuck with him by his own choosing -- like his love for wrestling.

The spectacle of World Wrestling Entertainment may not be to everyone's tastes but Isner and his friends still gather round to watch it every week.

"Although it is scripted, I do have great respect for these guys. A lot of guys make fun of me but these guys are actually putting their bodies on the line," he said.

"Growing up in North California, me and all my friends, it was pretty sad but our weeks revolved around a Monday night.

"Monday night wrestle would come on and we'd all huddle up and pay per views would come on and I'd get 10 of my friends to come over -- $5 each, so we could pay the $50 to watch the pay per view.

"It's something that I've always liked and I haven't grown out of it either. You know, at 27 at 6 ft 10 ins, I haven't grown out of that stage so for me, it's something I do to pass time on Monday nights."

Via: Bromance of tennis' 'marathon men'

Federer: Good to have Rafa back

(CNN) -- Roger Federer is "excited" by the return of Rafael Nadal to the ATP Tour, but could face his great Spanish rival in the quarterfinals as he defends his Masters 1000 Series title at Indian Wells.

Nadal made his return from seven months out through injury in clay court tournaments in South America, but will be playing his first hard court event as he tests his troublesome knee.

Read: Comeback kid Nadal wins Brazil title

World No.2 Federer, who is seeking his first trophy of 2013, is delighted Nadal is returning to the big time in California.

"I only just saw him yesterday after my practice. I was really excited to see him again," the Swiss maestro told the official ATP Tour website.

"We hadn't had much contact. I think he wanted to get away from it all, which I really understand."

Nadal won the final tournament of his early season 'clay court swing' in Mexico at the weekend and Federer took note.

Read: Nadal's hard court injury claims refuted

"I was really happy to see him doing so well in Acapulco. It's great to see him here playing on the hard courts. I'm hoping to catch up with him this week."

Nadal, a two-time former winner in Indian Wells, said he was in good shape for the challenge ahead.

"I feel very good. I've practiced two times here," he said.

"But seriously, I understand my situation after seven months. I think it's not the right moment to talk about the knee. I am here to try my best and that's what I'm going to try. We'll see how the knee responds on hard.

"The results on clay were positive, especially because the knee was feeling better and better every week, especially last week. Now I'm going to try here."

Read: Djokovic battles to Dubai crown

Both will have their work cut out to prevent World No.1 Novak Djokovic getting his hands on the trophy for the third time.

The Serbian is on a 17-match unbeaten run, stretching back to November last year, winning the Australian Open and Dubai titles in 2013.

He potentially faces No.3 Andy Murray in the semifinals. Djokovic beat the Scot in the final of the first grand slam of the season in Australia.

The top women in the world, led by No.2 and Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, are playing in a WTA event at the same venue.

No.1 Serena Williams is skipping the tournament.

Via: Federer: Good to have Rafa back

ITF steps up anti-doping fight

(CNN) -- When giants of the modern game, like world No. 1 Novak Djokovic or 17-time grand slam champion Roger Federer, talk the tennis authorities usually listen.

And in the fight against doping in the sport, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) certainly have after it was confirmed they are to introduce biological passports to tackle drug cheats.

The announcement on Thursday by the ITF came with the full support of the men's ATP and women's WTA Tours, as well as the grand slam tournaments themselves.

Each player will have an individual electronic biological profile and be tested more regularly to monitor their levels and alert the authorities to drug use.

Read: U.S. grand slam drought: Is NFL killing American tennis?

The ITF also confirmed an increase in funding, vowed more blood tests each season and more out of competition testing.

Last week Federer told CNN it was "naive" to think tennis is free of players who use drugs to enhance their performance and called on the sport's governing bodies to pour more funding into the fight against it.

He said: "I think our sport needs to do the utmost to try to make sure the integrity stays and that the fans don't tune into different sports just because they don't trust the players anymore.

"I've always been fighting to make sure we have enough testing."

The Swiss veteran is sure to be pleased by the ITF's confirmation of a biological passport scheme, similar to the one used by cycling authorities to weed out doping cheats.

Sport has been rocked by several high-profile doping scandals in recent months with Lance Armstrong stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after admitting using banned substances.

Soccer's world governing body FIFA recently announced they would introduce biological profiles and test players more regularly in a bid to stamp out cheating.

Australian sport was also stunned by a government report which alleged many athletes were using illegal substances supplied by organized criminal groups.

On Thursday the National Rugby League became embroiled in scandal after Sydney-based club the Cronulla Sharks said they were assisting the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority after reports that up to 14 of their players could be using banned drugs.

"The implementation of the athlete biological passport is an important step in the evolution of the tennis anti-doping program as it provides us with a great tool in the fight against doping in our sport," said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti.

"We also hope to have increased support from the National Anti-Doping Agencies around the world who need to do their part if we are to win this battle and make our programme more effective.

"Our thanks to the Grand Slam tournaments, the ATP and WTA who have recognised the need to increase the investment of tennis in anti-doping and to the players who asked for more testing, especially blood testing, over the next few years."

The ITF's stance was backed by Stacey Allaster, the chief executive of the WTA Tour and her male counterpart from the ATP Tour Brad Drewett.

Drewett added: "The players have been clear that they support increased investment in anti-doping and we feel that this is the most effective way to show the world that tennis is a clean sport."

Via: ITF steps up anti-doping fight

Injured Azarenka misses Dubai

(CNN) -- Victoria Azarenka has been forced to withdraw from the Dubai Open for the second successive year after suffering an injured heel.

Azarenka, who surrendered the World No.1 spot Monday to Serena Williams, was hoping to build on her title win at the Qatar Open where she defeated the U.S. star.

The Belorussian would have regained the No.1 ranking had she won the tournament, but Williams is set to remain at the summit until the Indian Wells tournament next month.

Read: Azarenka ends time at the top on a high

"I'm very disappointed, but I have to listen to my body," Azarenka told reporters.

"The injury happened last week when I played a lot of tennis, so going on to a new tournament is just too much. The heel kept getting worse, and I needed to re-evaluate.

"Sometimes the schedule is just too difficult. Unfortunately you can't know when you plan it in November what will happen in February.

"I didn't want to continue taking painkillers because sometimes it's better to feel the pain. so that you can control the injury. Otherwise it can cause something which is much worse.

"This is just a warning that I have to take care of myself."

Azarenka, who has a 14-0 record this year, revealed that the physical demands of the schedule has become a growing concern since she won the Australian Open last month.

"I never realised before just how much it takes out of you," she said. "Physically and mentally it just drains you out - and then you realise."

Read: Serena back on top of the world

Meanwhile, Williams, who is the oldest woman to ever hold top spot in the rankings, is the big favorite for the $2 million tournament.

And the 31-year-old says she's feeling in rude health going into the competition.

She told reporters: "I was really, really, really, really sick last week and physically I just wasn't at my best, considering I couldn't train, and I didn't practice.

"I practised only one or two days before playing because I had the ankle problems.

"But I didn't want to not show up and not play. So at least if I could show up and play my way into shape I would be able to compete and that's what I did.

"I feel so much better this week already. I feel like a completely different athlete, and a completely different person, compared with last week."

Via: Injured Azarenka misses Dubai

Nadal ready for Indian Wells

(CNN) -- Rafael Nadal warmed up for next week's Indian Wells hard-court tournament by thrashing David Ferrer in the final of the Mexican Open at Acapulco Sunday.

The former World No.1 claimed his 52nd ATP title, his 38th on clay, by seeing off his fellow Spaniard 6-0 6-2.

Since his return from a seven month absence with a knee injury in February, Nadal has won 12 of his 13 matches, coming second in Vina del Mar, Chile, before winning at Sao Paulo last month.

Djokovic claims fourth Dubai crown

"I have had some difficult months, especially during my time away from tennis," the 11-time grand slam winner told reporters.

"But I take with me fond memories of returning to Acapulco. I feel good being back on court.

"I have to thank my family and everyone involved in my rehabilitation. It has been a difficult time over the last few months.

"My heart tells me I should continue competing, that I need to move on to the next tournament."

Federer: 'Naive to think tennis is clean'

Nadal required just 65 minutes to defeat Ferrer, winning 81% of his first serve points, while saving both of the break points he faced.

"I am sorry about this result but I know Ferrer will be back and I consider him one of the great players of today," added the World No. 5.

Is the NFL killing American tennis?

Nadal dominated from the start of the contest, taking the first eight games and breaking Ferrer on five occasions.

"I want to congratulate Rafa. He is not an easy player to beat," Ferrer told reporters. "If I have to lose, I am happy to lose to Rafa."

In the women's final, Italian top seed Sara Errani breezed past second seed Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain 6-0 6-4.

In Malaysia, Karolina Pliskova won her first WTA singles crown after defeating Bethanie Mattek-Sands 1-6 7-5 6-3 at Kuala Lumpur.

Via: Nadal ready for Indian Wells