Indian Wells: Johanna Konta loses but Novak Djokovic reaches last 16

• British number one Johanna Konta is out of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells following a 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-3 defeat by world number 19 Karolina Pliskova.

Victory over her Czech opponent would have put Konta in with a chance of breaking into the top 20 of the world rankings for the first time.

Novak Djokovic reached the last 16 of the men's singes with a 7-5 7-5 win over German Phillipe Kohlschreiber.

Rafael Nadal beat fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-0 7-6 (11-9).

Two-time champion Serena Williams defeated Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2 6-2 to earn a quarter-final with Simona Halep.

In the San Antonio Open, British number three Naomi Broady was beaten 6-2 6-3 by Germany's Anna-Lena Friedsam.

Judy Murray resigns as Great Britain Fed Cup captain

• Judy Murray has resigned as captain of Great Britain's Fed Cup team, the Lawn Tennis Association has announced.

Murray was appointed to the role in 2011 but has been unable to guide Britain to promotion to the World Group.

Great Britain, 24th in the world rankings, have not contested a home tie in the Fed Cup, the women's equivalent of the Davis Cup, for 23 years.

The 56-year-old guided her team to the World Group II play-offs in her first two years in charge but Britain were beaten first by Sweden and then Argentina.

Andy Murray: Maria Sharapova 'must take responsibility'

• Maria Sharapova "must accept responsibility" for failing a drugs test and serve her ban, according to Andy Murray.

The five-time Grand Slam winner, 28, revealed on Monday that she tested positive for meldonium in January.

"Clearly if you are taking performance-enhancing drugs and you fail a drugs test, you have to get suspended," said Briton Murray, the world number two.

Russian Sharapova will be provisionally suspended from 12 March.

Rafael Nadal: Spaniard says he is a 'completely clean guy'

• Rafael Nadal has denied he has ever used a banned substance to get an edge or to speed up recovery from injury.

Asked for his reaction to Maria Sharapova's failed drug test, the 14-time Grand Slam champion took the opportunity to address speculation he has used performance-enhancing drugs.

The Spaniard, 29, said he was "a little bit tired" of the rumours, adding: "I am a completely clean guy.

"I have never had the temptation of doing something wrong."

Nadal added: "I believe in the sport and the values of the sport.
"It is an example for the kids and if I am doing something that goes against that, I will be lying to myself, not lying to my opponents."

Nadal has never failed a drugs test but has been the subject of speculation that he dopes.
In 2011, former French Open champion Yannick Noah wrote a newspaper article saying Spanish sporting success was due to doping.

Van Persie on Sir Alex's famous hairdryer treatment

The striker has recalled the Scot's infamous temper after losing the Manchester City in April 2013, despite the club remaining 12 points clear of their title rivals


Robin van Persie has detailed just how angry Sir Alex Ferguson could get at his Manchester United squad but has insisted the Scot's temper was an inspiration.

The striker spent three seasons at United but just one under Sir Alex where he won his only Premier League winners' medal after arriving from Arsenal in 2012.

Van Persie, talking to Uefa.com along with current Fenerbahce team-mate Nani, reminsiced on how Sir Alex unleashed on his players after losing to Manchester City and seeing their lead at the top of the table cut to 12 points.

"I played with him for one year but it was a very special year: we won the league!" Van Persie said of Sir Alex. "The road to that title was very special. I could tell he's a really special manager.