Tennis

1ST LEAD: Serena recovers from horror start in Miami

1ST LEAD: Serena recovers from horror start in Miami Miami  - Serena Williams held onto her top ranking with a crucial victory Wednesday over China's Li Na, 4-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Miami Masters.

The top seed and three-time champion at Crandon Park must get to the final to be certain of remaining atop the WTA table. If she loses Thursday to the winner from her sister Venus or Czech Iveta Benesova, then Russian Dinara Safina steps up to the summit.

Serena recovers from horror start in Miami

Serena recovers from horror start in MiamiMiami  - Serena Williams retained a grip on her top ranking with a crucial victory over China's Li Na, 4-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Miami Masters on Wednesday.

The top seed and three-time champion at Crandon Park must get to the final to ensure that she remains on atop the WTA table. If she loses on Thursday to the winner from her sister Venus or Czech Iveta Benesova, then Russian Dinara Safina takes steps up to the summit.

Djokovic has a mountain to climb after four losses to Tsonga

Djokovic has a mountain to climb after four losses to Tsonga Miami  - Novak Djokovic will aim to reverse a run of four consecutive defeats against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as the pair meet in the quarter-finals of the Miami Masters.

Third seed and 2007 champion Djokovic controlled Czech Tomas Berdych in an efficient 6-3, 6-2 victory on Tuesday, while Tsonga, seeded 10th, ousted compatriot Gilles Simon 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-2 in their fourth-round meeting.

Tennis star Hewitt, spouse launch legal action against Oz magazine

Tennis star Hewitt, spouse launch legal action against Oz magazineMelbourne, Mar. 31: Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt and his wife Bec have started legal action against the New Idea magazine after it claimed the actress was seeing another man - who in reality was her brother.

The magazine ran a cover story titled "Bec''s other man" and claimed she was spending more and more time with a "hunky" American fitness trainer.

The magazine carried photographs of Bec and "Minder Mark" with the Hewitts'' two young children.

Nadal survives surprise resistance from Portuguese qualifier

Nadal survives surprise resistance from Portuguese qualifier Miami - Rafael Nadal had to fight off a spirited challenge from Portuguese challenger Federico Gil on Monday, beginning the wrap-up week of the Miami Masters with a tight 7-5, 6-3 third-round victory.

Top seed Nadal found himself in a surprise struggle with the 24- year-old Gil, the unfancied world number 74 from Sintra near Lisbon.

Federer expects smooth sailing despite summer arrival of first-born

Federer expects smooth sailing despite summer arrival of first-born Miami  - With Roger Federer's new baby due over the summer, the Swiss insists that his tennis work ethic won't be compromised - it's just that he and girlfriend Mirka will just go about the tennis business with a baby now a part of the mix.

"I'll still take decisions that are best for my game, you know. I have had a team in the past, there's just an added a member. It's going to be all right," he said after reaching the fourth round of the Miami Masters.

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