Top-ranked Federer loses again to Canas
MIAMI, March 27 (UPI) -- Top-ranked Roger Federer was defeated again by Guillermo Canas Tuesday at the $3.45 million Sony Ericsson Open.
Canas, who beat Federer at Indian Wells earlier this month, defeated the Swiss 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 7-6 (7-5) to advance to the quarterfinals.
The reigning Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion Federer was the two-time defending Miami champ.
Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick advanced Tuesday to the quarterfinals. American Roddick, last year's U.S. Open runner-up, defeated Spaniard David Ferrer 7-5, 6-3.
Englishman Andy Murray, Roddick's next opponent, beat Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 2-6, 7-5, 6-3. The 19-year-old Murray has won 15 of his last 17 matches, including a title in San Jose last month.
Spaniard Tommy Robredo reached the round of eight with a 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 7-6 (7-3) victory over Czech Radek Stepanek.
Serena Williams beats Sharapova in Miami
MIAMI, March 27 (UPI) -- Former world No. 1 Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova Tuesday in the fourth round at the $3.45 million Sony Ericsson Open.
Williams beat a then-No. 1 Sharapova in straight sets (6-1, 6-2) in the final at Australian Open and Tuesday beat her 6-1, 6-1.
Williams, eight-time Grand Slam champion, advanced in 59 minutes. The American broke her Russian counterpart on five occasions and was the beneficiary of eight double faults.
Williams, who now has a 10-match winning streak, is playing her first tennis since winning in Melbourne two months ago.
The 19-year-old Sharapova, last year's Miami runner-up to her fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, beat Williams' sister Venus here on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Williams' quarterfinal opponent here on Wednesday will be Czech Nicole Vaidisova, a semifinal loser at the hands of the American at the Australian Open.
Islanders' goaltender sidelined by headaches
UNIONDALE, N.Y., March 27 (UPI) -- New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro may be sidelined indefinitely due to headaches.
DiPietro was hurt during the first period of a March 13 loss against Montreal after colliding with Canadiens forward Steve Begin. Begin's skate struck the goaltender in the head.
The Islanders lost the next two games while DiPietro sat out, but he has played the last four contests -- a shootout loss, two wins and an overtime loss to the New York Rangers Sunday.
"After the game on Sunday, Rick told our medical staff that he was suffering from headaches," said Islanders GM Garth Snow. "Until Rick is completely recovered, he will not play. As important as these games are, nothing is more important than Rick's health."
The Islanders entered Tuesday's game against New Jersey tied with Montreal and Carolina for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They were two points behind seventh-place Tampa Bay, three behind the sixth-place Rangers.
Bucks' Villanueva has shoulder surgery
MILWAUKEE, March 27 (UPI) -- The Milwaukee Bucks announced Tuesday that forward Charlie Villanueva had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder.
"Charlie is a significant part of our team's development and future success," said Bucks General Manager Larry Harris. "We look forward to working with him to have him at full-strength for training camp in October."
Villanueva averaged 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 39 games this season. He is expected to make a full recovery and be available for the 2007-08 season.
