Maria Sharapova's tournament win at Indian Wells on Saturday has moved her up to second place in the WTA world rankings, behind only Serena Williams. The Russian edged ahead of Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, the Australian Open winner who was the title-holder in California, but who had to pull out at the quarter-final stage due to an ankle injury. Sharapova, who has twice been world No.1 during her career, will have a chance to top the rankings once again when she plays in the Miami Masters starting later this week, but this time she will have Serena Williams in opposition.

Redfoo -- front man of musical duo LMFAO and tennis star Victoria Azarenka's number-one fan -- has entered a qualifying tournament for the US Open, the US Tennis Association said Friday. Actor Sendhil Ramamurthy of television show "Heroes" has also entered, with both entertainers planning to compete in singles and mixed doubles in their respective qualifying events. Redfoo has entered the USTA Northern California Sectional Qualifying Tournament in Salinas, California, June 18-23.

The women's quarter-finals at Indian Wells ended with a whimper on Thursday as defending champion Victoria Azarenka and seventh seed Sam Stosur both pulled out with injuries. Azarenka's bid to become the first woman since Martina Navratilova in 1990-91 to retain her title in the California desert crashed to a halt as the world No. 2 from Belarus withdrew before her clash with Caroline Wozniacki with tendinitis and inflammation in her right foot and ankle.

Results on Thursday from the ninth day of the ATP Masters and WTA BNP Paribas Open (x denotes seeded player): Women Quarter-finals Angelique Kerber (GER x4) bt Samantha Stosur (AUS x7) - walkover Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x8) bt Victoria Azarenka (BLR x1) - walkover afp