Top-seeded Maria Sharapova needed three sets and more than three hours Thursday in her clay-court debut of the year to overcome Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic for a place in the quarterfinals of the Porsche Grand Prix.

Jelena Jankovic beat Samantha Stosur 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the second round of the Porsche Grand Prix on Wednesday.

For the first time in nine years, the Monte Carlo Masters trophy belongs to someone other than Rafael Nadal.

Novak Djokovic will have a crack at toppling Rafael Nadal in the Monte Carlo Masters final for a second straight year.

Serena Williams leveled the United States' Fed Cup World Group playoff match against Sweden, waiting out a long rain delay to beat Johanna Larsson 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday.

Rafael Nadal was pushed all the way by Grigor Dimitrov before winning his 45th straight match at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, reaching the semifinals with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory and staying on course for a rematch of last year's final against Novak Djokovic.

Top seed Novak Djokovic passed another test on his suspect right ankle when he posted a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Juan Monaco to join eight-time champion Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal extended his Monte Carlo Masters winning streak to 43 matches, and top-ranked Novak Djokovic was relieved his right ankle held firm despite hurting it again as both reached the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Wednesday.

Ninth-seeded Marin Cilic overcame a shaky serving performance to beat Horacio Zeballos of Argentina 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-2 in the first round of the Monte Carlo Masters on Monday.

Fifth seeded John Isner claimed his sixth career title and first on clay by beating Nicolas Almagro in straight sets in the final of the U.S. Clay Court Championships on Sunday.