Tennis

Novak Djokovic lost again, this time falling to 140th-ranked Martin Klizan 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 on Wednesday in the second round of the Barcelona Open. Djokovic, trying to return to form after a lingering right elbow injury, hasn't made it past the last 16 in five tournaments this year. The 12th-ranked Serb got off to a slow start but rebounded to force a third set. He was then broken while trailing 4-3, allowing Klizan to serve out for the victory.

Rafael Nadal powered to a record-extending 11th Monte Carlo Masters title by brushing aside an outclassed Kei Nishikori in Sunday's final to retain the world No 1 ranking. The 31-year-old saw off Nishikori 6-3, 6-2 to become the first man to win a single tournament 11 times in the Open era with his 76th ATP Tour title in 93 minutes.

Former world No 1 Serena Williams was officially entered on the Roland Garros entry list on Wednesday in what would be her first Grand Slam event since the 2017 Australian Open. Also appearing on the main draw line-up in the men's event is Andy Murray, who hasn't played since last year's Wimbledon and was widely expected to return to action at a grass court event in the Netherlands the week after the French Open in June.

Rafael Nadal remains on course for a record 31st Masters title after beating Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-1 in the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals on Saturday. The top-ranked Spaniard never looked in trouble as he beat the fourth-seeded Bulgarian for the 11th time in 12 career meetings. If Nadal wins Sunday's final, he will also keep his No. 1 ranking. Should he lose, Roger Federer will reclaim it.

Rafael Nadal crushed fifth seed Dominic Thiem 6-0, 6-2 to romp into the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals on Friday as he stepped up his bid for the 11th title in style. Thiem was supposed to give the king of clay a run for his money being the last man to beat the Spaniard on his favourite surface. But the Austrian was sent scampering in just over an hour 6-0, 6-2. The Spaniard now leads their head-to-head 7-2.

Grigor Dimitrov and Dominic Thiem both had to come from a set down to win their second-round matches at the Monte Carlo Masters on Tuesday. The fourth-seeded Dimitrov rallied to beat Pierre-Hugues Herbert 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, while the fifth-seeded Thiem saved a match point in his 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 win against Andrey Rublev of Russia.