The third round of BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells was won effortlessly by Rafael Nadal as he secured a victory of 6-4 6-4 over Germany's Rainer Schuettler. Nadal won this match following a quick recovery from knee injury suffered by the player in the quarter-final of the Australian Open.

Buenos Aires - Over three decades after Renee Richards became the first transsexual in professional tennis, a Chilean player is set to follow the same path in Buenos Aires.

"It's a dream come true for me," Andrea Paredes told the Argentine daily Clarin.

Barcelona - Rafael Nadal will hope to ride the fevered emotions of a Spanish crowd as the world number 1 works to extend his world-beating clay court success at the Barcelona Open.

The five-time winner at Monte Carlo said Monday that he is extra motivated to be playing at home this week as he builds for the May 24 start of the French Open.

Monte Carlo - Rafael Nadal seems determined to play the most punishing clay schedule possible, with the top seed at the Monte Carlo Masters insisting he still intends to compete for four of the five weeks heading into the French Open. "You never know, no? You never know," said the four-time champion on Monday. "(It) always depends of the results.

Indian Wells, California  - Holder Novak Djokovic swept through the first set and struggled in the second before consolidating his Indian Wells Masters title defence campaign with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-1) defeat of Tommy Haas on Tuesday.

The Serbian third seed finally prevailed over the one-time number 2 from Germany - now ranked 64th - in an hour and three-quarters.

Dubai, UAE - French surprise packet Virginie Razzano will relax with her boyfriend and down a calming glass of beer the night before facing one of the Williams sisters for the title at the Barclays Championships on Saturday.

The number 58 with two career title from 2007 is not one to worry too much about the immediate future after crushing Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-1, 6-2.

Abu Dhabi, UAE  - Britain's Andy Murray will take the role of favourite as the ATP season begins Monday in Doha, after defeating Rafael Nadal 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 to win the Abu Dhabi exhibition.

Sydney  - Australian legend John Newcombe has voiced concern at the current state of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, tipping Andy Murray as an outside chance to win the Australian Open.