Tennis

FEATURE: WTA staying the financial course amidst economic storm

WTA staying the financial course amidst economic stormIndian Wells, California  - The women's WTA is well-placed to withstand the current world economic downturn with major sponsors all healthy, though boss Larry Scott says he expects no growth in tournament revenues this year.

"We are fully sponsored, they've not gone away. We're doing better than a lot of other sports," said the CEO during a visit to the Indian Wells Masters on Tuesday. "There is anecdotal evidence that entertainment and sport do not suffer so much in a recession.

"People don't want to give up their diversions."

1ST LEAD: Satisfied Murray makes it look easy in win over Mathieu

Satisfied Murray makes it look easy in win over Mathieu Indian Wells, California  - Andy Murray began the concluding week of the Indian Wells Masters in sparkling form, reaching the last 16 with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-2 victory Monday over Paul-Henri Mathieu.

The fourth-seeded Scot needed only an hour and a quarter to earn his third win without a defeat against the Frenchman, ranked 33rd. Murray fired six aces and broke five times to roll through.

The result improved Murray to 17-1 on the season, which has included titles at Doha and Rotterdam, where he beat number 1 Rafael Nadal for the trophy.

Murray makes it look easy in win over Mathieu

Murray makes it look easy in win over MathieuIndian Wells, California  - Andy Murray began the concluding week of tennis' Indian Wells Masters on sparkling form, reaching the last 16 with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-2 victory over Paul-Henri Mathieu on Monday.

The Scot seeded fourth needed only an hour and a quarter to earn his third win without a defeat against the Frenchman ranked 33rd. Murray fired six aces and broke five times to roll through.

The result improved Murray to 17-1 on the season, which has included titles at Doha and Rotterdam, where he beat number 1 Rafael Nadal for the trophy.

Djokovic rebuilding campaign continues with opening win

Djokovic rebuilding campaign continues with opening win Indian Wells, California  - Defending champion Novak Djokovic continued to rebuild his fragile confidence with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Argentine Marcel Vassallo Arguello to move into the third round of the Indian Wells Masters on Sunday.

"This year hasn't started maybe the way I thought I would, but now I've raised my confidence in a higher level," said the 2008 Australian Open champion who won his first title of this season a fortnight ago in Dubai.

"Winning there meant a lot for my confidence level and for my game overall."

Federer says fatherhood won't derail his tennis

Federer says fatherhood won't derail his tennis Indian Wells, California  - Roger Federer insisted on Saturday that his impending summer fatherhood won't impact his tennis as he strives for more history in the sport.

"I've always had the dream that once I became number 1, that if I have a child I hope I have it early enough so he can see me playing," he said after reaching the third round of the Indian Wells Masters 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 over Marc Gicquel.

"This is very exciting, you know.

Depleted Dementieva loses battle against fatigue

Depleted Dementieva loses battle against fatigueIndian Wells, California  - Exhausted Elena Dementieva, winner of her first 15 matches this season, hit the wall as she crashed out to Czech Petra Cetkovska 6-7 (2-7), 6-2, 6-1 Saturday at the Indian Wells Masters.

"I shouldn't have come here because I didn't have enough time to recover after playing so many matches in the beginning of the year," said the Russian Olympic gold medallist. "I just needed a much longer break to get ready to play at my best."

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