Photo courtesy of Tennis Served Fresh
Hardly a ruffle for Wozniacki
One can argue about the much talked about Caroline Wozniacki’s latest designer tennis dress,  but there was no dispute about her play on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open. Despite a career 0-3 record against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, the World No. 1 took apart the Spaniard 6-1, 6-3.
Keys to victory said Wozniacki,“It was important to move my feet, try to get as many returns back, and it helped me a little bit that she didn’t get too many first serves in so I could go in and dictate the game.â€
More cupcakes for Nadal
Rafael Nadal continues his smooth sailing in the desert by dispatching qualifier American Ryan Sweeting 6-3, 6-1. Nadal won 95 percent of his first serve points.
“I didn’t play nothing really impressive, but I played solid. I didn’t have big mistakes,† said Nadal. “The more positive thing is I finished much better than the beginning of the match. So improve during the match always very good news, no?â€
His benevolent draw will continue as he‘ll face his third qualifier in a row in the fourth round – Somdev Devvarman who stopped Xavier Malisse.
Winning Ugly
Sixteen double faults does not a pretty match make, but Dinara Safina will take it. The determined Russian toppled fourth seeded Samantha Stosur 7-6, 6-4. The slumping Safina notched her first win over a top five player in almost two years.
Birthday bad luck, Concern for Japan
Maria Sharapova gave no gifts to Aravane Rezai celebrating her 24th birthday. The Russian pushing aside the Frenchwoman 6-2, 6-2. Sharapova appeared to be trying to adjust to a new service stance. Sharapova on Rezai –” She had a lot of errors. I returned a lot better, and served a lot better in the second set.â€
During her news conference, Sharapova wore a T-shirt commemorating Chernobyl’s 25th anniversary. She’s a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Development  Fund and contributed money  to aid victims of Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Her family left the area that was part of Russia a year before she was born.
She spoke about the recent natural disasters in Japan, “It opens your eyes, and obviously puts a lot of perspective in your life. It’s a country where I have very great memories from. I started playing there when I was very young and I always loved my experiences there.”
Upset Special
World No. 4 Robin Soderling said he should have never taken court against Philipp Kohlschrieber due to a left foot injury, but did so anyway. “I lost the match when I decided to go on court,†Soderling said. He had been in bed for five days before the tournament with a fever.  The Swede paid the price and was stopped by the German 7-6 (8), 6-4.
Dangerous Floater Moves on
Juan Martin Del Portro was in a first set dog fight with the Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov but finally took control in the second set surviving for 7-6, 6-3 victory. He’ll face Philip Kohlschreiber next. He could be on a semifinal collision course with Rafael Nadal.
Back to Earth
It happens so many times, a player gets a “career” win and then fails to back it up in the very next match. Latest victim Donald Young, who took out No. 5 Andy Murray on Saturday, but was destroyed on Monday by veteran Tommy Robredo 6-0, 6-4.
Twitter Curse?
Eleventh -seeded Nicolas Almagro just joined the world of twitter on Sunday (@NicoAlmagro) and was taken out of the tournament on Monday by Spanish compatriot Alberto Montanes 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Surviving ruffles and wearing ruffles
A woman known for wearing a ruffle or two or three or more, Russia’s Nadia Petrova found herself in a battle with young American Christina McHale. Petrova held off McHale 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Getting a groove back?
Sam Querrey has strung a couple of good wins together this week at the BNP Paribas Open. He was victorious over Janko Tipsarevic on Saturday and Monday night he outgunned ninth seeded Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 6-4. The American advances to the fourth round and will face Verdasco’s countryman Tommy Robredo.