Tennis Headlines

ROME (Reuters) - An aching Roger Federer made up for lost time on Wednesday as he saw off Carlos Berlocq of Argentina 6-3 6-4 to reach the third round of the Rome Masters.

ROME (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic was back on top form as he brushed aside rising Australian talent Bernard Tomic 6-3 6-3 to reach the third round of the Rome Masters on Tuesday.

ROME (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal's chances of winning an open era record seventh French Open title next month will not be affected by his fall to number three in the world rankings, the Spaniard said on Monday.

MADRID (Reuters) - Roger Federer left a lasting impression on the Madrid Open's controversial blue claycourt when the Swiss maestro ground out a thrilling 3-6 7-5 7-5 victory over Czech Tomas Berdych to match Rafa Nadal's record of 20 Masters titles on Sunday.

LONDON (Reuters) - Swapping the slippery blue clay of Madrid for the robust Roman dust, Novak Djokovic says he is "right where I want to be" as he chases French Open glory later this month.

MADRID (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and others who have complained about the blue clay at the Madrid Open are "weenies", according to former women's number one Serena Williams.

MADRID (Reuters) - A fired-up Serena Williams sent out a warning to the young pretenders of women's tennis when she powered to a crushing 6-1 6-3 victory over world number one Victoria Azarenka to win the Madrid Open on Sunday.

LONDON (Reuters) - Little known Australian player Sam Groth has fired down the fastest recorded serve in professional tennis, a 263kph rocket that Roger Federer described as "an incredible number".

MADRID (Reuters) - Roger Federer moved a step closer to a record-equalling 20th Masters title when he thumped Janko Tipsarevic 6-2 6-3 at the Madrid Open on Saturday to set up a final showdown with Tomas Berdych.

MADRID (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic's frustration with the controversial blue clay at the Madrid Masters reached new heights after the world number one was beaten 7-6 6-3 by fellow Serb Janko Tipsarevic in the quarter-finals on Friday.

MADRID (Reuters) - Serena Williams maintained her vice-like hold over Maria Sharapova on Friday, sweeping to a seventh successive victory over the world number two to reach the Madrid Open semi-finals.

MADRID (Reuters) - Not satisfied with the uproar his blue clay courts have created at this year's Madrid Open, unrepentant tennis promoter Ion Tiriac is itching to unleash his next innovation on the world's top players - psychedelic balls.

MADRID (Reuters) - Serena Williams blew away fellow former number one Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-3 to join top seed Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals at the Madrid Open on Friday.