Women and Men Tennis News Update – Miami Sony Open

Written by: Resendiz on 27th March 2013

Sony Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne

Women and Men Tennis News Update - Miami Sony Open

epa03641545 Serena Williams of the US returns a ball from Li Na of China during their quarter final match at the Sony Open tennis tournament in Miami, Florida, USA, 26 March 2013. The tournament runs through 31 March. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER |

Miami Women

Serena Williams overcame a hip niggle as she held off China’s Li Na 6-3, 7-6(5) to reach the semi-finals as the weather turned chilly for south Florida. The five-time champion, driving a new white Rolls Royce a few kilometers down the road from her luxury hotel to the site, was seen by the doctor at one point and given some tablets after she appeared to hurt herself.

But Williams made no initial mention of any problems as she out-hit Li, a former French Open winner and losing finalist at the Australian Open in January against Victoria Azarenka. “I just had a little bit of a problem, a little with the hip, and it was just really weird. It happened really early in the first set.”

Williams is guaranteed to remain on the top WTA ranking by virtue of reaching the quarter-finals at Crandon park. The 31-year-old overcame 31 unforced errors and six double-faults, surpassed only by the seven off the Li racquet.

“It was a very tough match today, nothing to say,” said Li, now switching over to clay for the next two months. “I had chances but I didn’t hold, but this is tennis. She is the best player in the world.

“If you couldn’t use your chance, she doesn’t give you another one. I still have to see the positive way. I played well today. I’ll continue working with team and try to be ready for clay court season.”

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Miami Men

Former champion Andy Murray shook off a hip injury niggle to advance in straight sets. The second seed, who won his only title at Crandon park in 2009 and played the final a year ago, was bothered early on in his victory over Italian Andreas Seppi, with the Scot prevailing 6-2, 6-4 in the fourth-round contest played in uncharacteristic chilly conditions.

Murray admitted he felt something give in his hip, but played through it. “I probably just did an awkward movement at one stage and it was a bit sore for a few games. Four or five games into the second set my right hip, quad – on top of my right leg – was sore for a few games. Felt like something just caught a little bit.

“I felt fine after that, it feels fine now. Normally, if you pick up a little something, when you cool down that after the match you feel it, Stuff can get out of place on the court, and, you know, when you’re moving again it starts to feel better or opens up again.”

Spanish third seed David Ferrer reached the quarter-finals for the third year in a row with his defeat of Japan’s 13th seed Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-2. Czech fourth seed Tomas Berdych crushed Sam Querrey 6-1, 6-1.

Croatian Marin Cilic knocked out No. 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) while eighth seed Richard Gasquet took a French win in went two hours, 39 minutes before defeating tenth seed Nicolas Almagro 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).

World No. 18 Tommy Haas, who will turn 35 next week, stunned World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-4, late Tuesday night.

Topics: Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, Li Na, Miami Sony Open, Serena Williams, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych