Canas beats Federer again

Guillermo Canas defeated Roger Federer for the second time this month, 7-6 (2), 2-6, 7-6 (5), in a fourth-round match Tuesday in the Sony Ericsson Open at Key Biscayne, Fla.

The upset wasn’t the only rematch repeat. Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-1, in a rout reminiscent of their Australian Open final two months ago.

With that, the tournament’s two No. 1-seeded players were eliminated.

Two weeks ago at Indian Wells, Canas ended Federer’s 41-match winning streak. He showed that victory was no fluke, extending points by repeatedly chasing down shots and forcing Federer into 51 unforced errors.

“It’s one of those matches I never should have lost,” Federer said.

Williams, who defeated Sharapova, 6-1, 6-2, in the Australian Open final, this time won by an even more lopsided score. She bristled when asked if she anticipated such an easy match.

“Haven’t you learned that I expect the best of myself?” she said. “If I’m playing well, then anything can happen. I believe there could be a similar score if I’m playing well.”

Andy Roddick won his rematch against David Ferrer, 7-5, 6-3, to advance to the quarterfinals.

Justine Henin reached the semifinals by beating Nadia Petrova, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4).

Rafael Nadal will skip Spain’s Davis Cup quarterfinal match against the United States next month because of a lingering foot injury. The teams are scheduled to meet April 6-8 in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Newport Beach Breakers selected Ramon Delgado, Laguna Beach resident and prominent doubles specialist Rick Leach, Lauren Albanese and Michaela Pastikova in the World TeamTennis draft.

MISCELLANY

Australia takes 322-6

lead against West Indies

Matthew Hayden struck 158, the highest ever by an Australian at the Cricket World Cup, to lead the defending champion to 322-6 against the West Indies in the opening Super Eight game at Bridgetown, Barbados.

Rain delayed the host team’s innings.

Three-time Olympians Jenny Potter and Angela Ruggiero were among the 18 forwards and defensemen named to the U.S. women’s hockey team, which will compete for the world championship next month in Winnipeg and Selkirk, Canada.

Pitcher Danny Almonte, 20, who gained notoriety for playing in the 2001 Little League World Series at the age of 14, has signed a deal with the Southern Illinois Miners.

Brian Vickers suffered second-degree burns to his feet when an exhaust pipe broke midway through the 500-mile race at Bristol Motor Speedway, but team officials said he would be prepared to race this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.

Vagner Love scored in the first half to give Brazil a 1-0 victory over Ghana at Stockholm in a friendly rematch of last year’s second-round World Cup game in Germany.

Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks and Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett Jr. completed their takeover of the Liverpool soccer team. Hicks also owns the Dallas Stars.