World number one Novak Djokovic booked a semi-final showdown with Juan Monaco at the Miami Masters by holding off a determined David Ferrer of Spain 6-2, 7-6 (7/1).
"It's always going to tough against David, he's one of the greatest competitors on the circuit," said Serbia's Djokovic, winner of the last three Grand Slams. "I didn't want to get to the third set because physically he's always there."
Full StoryThree-time runner-up Maria Sharapova booked her second straight Miami final Thursday, rallying to beat disgruntled Caroline Wozniacki and set up a title clash with Agnieszka Radwanska.
Sharapova clinched a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 semi-final victory over the Dane after two hours, 34 minutes, the match ending in acrimony as Wozniacki objected to the chair umpire's overrule of a call to Sharapova's benefit on match point.
Full StoryBrazil coach Mano Menezes says he has doubts over whether Kaka can force his way into the 2014 World Cup team, putting the onus on the Real Madrid player to prove he is worthy of a spot.
Menezes told Brazilian channel SporTV on Thursday that he thinks Kaka could be key for Brazil in the World Cup, but said "next season will tell if Kaka can still play for Brazil in a World Cup. We all have doubts."
Full StoryThe Miami Heat shrugged off back-to-back road defeats to post a decisive 106-85 victory against the Dallas Mavericks, the team that beat them in last season's NBA championship series.
The Heat, with their star trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh leading a balanced attack, surged to a 13-point lead in the third quarter, adding another victory over the Mavericks to the win they posted in Dallas when the lockout-shortened season opened on Christmas Day.
Full StoryDiego Maradona was restrained by security staff as he confronted opposition fans in the stands on Thursday, angry at threats and abuse directed toward wives and girlfriends of his al-Wasl players.
Maradona called the al-Shabab fans "cowards" after they heckled the women during his team's 2-0 loss.
Full StoryBeer-drinking football fans should be able to savor their favorite beverage during matches at the 2014 World Cup after Brazilian lawmakers approved a bill suspending a ban on beer sales in stadiums.
The bill regulating the beautiful game's quadrennial extravaganza received near unanimous support in the House of Deputies late Wednesday, paving the way for beer to be sold in plastic cups inside the venues.
Full StoryThe Gulf country that gave the world indoor skiing in the desert, a Ferrari theme park and a half mile-high skyscraper is back at it with plans for an entire resort island based around the brand of one of the world's richest football clubs.
If all goes according to plan, the $1 billion Real Madrid Resort Island should open in January 2015 on a now nearly barren manmade island in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, a little more than an hour's drive north of Dubai.
Full StoryBarcelona has filed a complaint to UEFA about the state of the San Siro pitch in its 0-0 draw with AC Milan in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.
The defending champions said they filed the complaint late Wednesday after the match in which their players lost their footing and kicked up clumps of turf from the ground.
Full StoryRafael Nadal set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash with Andy Murray at the ATP/WTA Miami tournament, coming through a tough battle with French sixth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
The Spanish world number two, chasing his first tournament win of the season, needed almost three hours to defeat Tsonga 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in a quarterfinal night match.
Full StoryFrench seventh seed Marion Bartoli stunned previously unbeaten world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the ATP/WTA Miami hardcourt tournament on Wednesday.
It was the second consecutive dominating victory in Miami for Bartoli who brushed aside 22nd seed Maria Kirilenko in the fourth round 6-1, 6-2.
Full Story