International Tennis Federation president Francesco Ricci Bitti told The Associated Press yesterday that despite appeals from the World Anti-Doping Agency, the statute of limitations in the case expired long ago and no retroactive punishment was possible.

Maria Sharapova has signed up to play in the Wimbledon grass-court warm-up in Birmingham in June.

The International Tennis Federation has moved Pakistan's home Davis Cup tie to New Zealand due to security concerns.

Roger Federer had to work a harder than expected on Sunday night before beating Victor Hanescu 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open.

Reigning champion Rafael Nadal breezed into the third round of the BNP Paribas Open with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Germany's Rainer Schuettler on Saturday.