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Journalism of Courage
REMATCHES became repeats for Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova at the Sony Ericsson Open. Both lost. Guillermo Canas upset top-ranked Federer for the second time this month, 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (5) in a fourth-round epic.
Serena Williams beat Sharapova 6-1, 6-1 in a rout reminiscent of their Australian Open final two months ago. With that, Key Biscayne’s two No 1-seeded players were eliminated yesterday.
Two weeks ago, Canas ended Federer’s 41-match winning streak at Indian Wells. The Argentine showed the victory was no fluke, extending points by repeatedly chasing down shots and forcing a frustrated Federer into 51 unforced errors. The upset ended Federer’s bid for a third successive Key Biscayne title.
Williams, who defeated Sharapova 6-1, 6-2 in the Australian Open final, this time won even more easily. Seeking her fourth Key Biscayne title, No 13-seeded Williams will play No 8 Nicole Vaidisova in the quarter finals today.
Andy Roddick won his rematch against David Ferrer. The Spaniard was an upset winner when they played at Key Biscayne a year ago, but this time the third-seeded Roddick won 7-5, 6-3 to reach the quarter finals.
Sixth-seeded Tommy Robredo beat Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (4), 5-7, 7-6 (3), and No. 12 Andy Murray of Britain overcame two match points to beat Paul-Henri Mathieu of France 2-6, 7-5, 6-3.
