Blake falls to qualifier at Rome Masters

ROME, April 27 (Xinhua) -- James Blake became the first seeded casualty in Rome Masters when the American 14th seed lost 7-5, 6-3 to Romanian qualifier Victor Crivoi in the first round on Monday.

Blake fought back to 5-5 after losing the first five games of the match but he failed to force a tiebreak by dropping serve in the final game of the first set.

Blake briefly perked up again but then appeared to lose heart after relinquishing a 2-0 lead in the second set and 26-year-old Crivoi sealed the match with a sweet drop volley at the net.

Last year's runner-up Stanislas Wawrinka, seeded 10th, overcame a few concentration lapses to move into the second round with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Igor Kunitsyn.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, who has a bye to the second round along with the other top seeds, will start his title defence against Albert Montanes. The Spaniard beat Italian wildcard Potito Starace 7-6, 6-4.

World number two Roger Federer, yet to win a title this year, will begin his campaign against Croat Ivo Karlovic.

British fourth seed Andy Murray will face Juan Monaco after the Argentine qualifier swept aside German Nicolas Kiefer 6-2, 6-3.

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Murray beats Djokovic to win Miami Masters

In tennis, Britain's Andy Murray has beaten Novak Djokovic of Serbia in straight sets to win the Sony Ericsson Open. It was the Scot's third Masters title, following wins in Cincinnati and Madrid last year.

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Murray broke in the opening game and held serve in the second with some inspired tennis. The Briton's agile movements allowing him to win this exciting rally.

Djokovic struggled in the blistering hot conditions. Murray bamboozled the third seed with more deft play to take the set 6-2.

Djokovic restored some momentum in the second and the Serbian went ahead 4-1 with this backhand.

But Murray saved a couple of set points before leveling at 5-5 and then broke to lead 6-5. Murray served out for a 6-2, 7-5 victory to take his third masters title.