MADRID, May 8 (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal avoided a similar fate to beaten world number one Novak Djokovic when he dismissed French young gun Benoit Paire 6-3 6-4 to claim a place in the third round of the Madrid Open on Wednesday.

Serb Djokovic fell to another promising youngster, Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, in the second round of the Masters event on Tuesday but Nadal showed why he has the best record on clay in the pro era with a clinical display.

MADRID (Reuters) – Victoria Azarenka lost her temper and was docked a point for smashing her racket on the way to a surprise 1-6 6-2 6-3 defeat by unseeded Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the Madrid Open second round on Wednesday.

The Belarussian world number three, runner-up in the last two editions of the premier clay event and coming back from an injury layoff, appeared firmly in control against her 24th-ranked opponent after cruising through the first set.

MADRID, May 8 (Reuters) – Victoria Azarenka lost her temper and was docked a point for smashing her racket on the way to a surprise 1-6 6-2 6-3 defeat by unseeded Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the Madrid Open second round on Wednesday.

The Belarussian world number three, runner-up in the last two editions of the premier clay event and coming back from an injury layoff, appeared firmly in control against her 24th-ranked opponent after cruising through the first set.

MADRID (Reuters) – Grigor Dimitrov has long been touted as the next Roger Federer but it may be the 21-year-old Bulgarian’s stunning win against world number one Novak Djokovic at the Madrid Open on Tuesday that finally catapults him into the big time.

An inspired Dimitrov battled through cramp and milked the raucous support of the fans at the clay Masters event in the Spanish capital, producing some breathtaking shots to oust the top-seeded Serbian in the second round and claim by far the biggest win of his career.

MADRID (Reuters) – World number one and defending champion Serena Williams continued her serene progress at the Madrid Open when she eased past Spanish wildcard Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-2 7-5 in the second round on Tuesday.

Chasing a fourth title of the year and the 50th of her career, Williams had too much power for the slightly-built Dominguez Lino, who nonetheless managed to unsettle her illustrious opponent with some clever drop shots and lobs.

MADRID, May 7 (Reuters) – World number one and defending champion Serena Williams continued her serene progress at the Madrid Open when she eased past Spanish wildcard Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-2 7-5 in the second round on Tuesday.

Chasing a fourth title of the year and the 50th of her career, Williams had too much power for the slightly-built Dominguez Lino, who nonetheless managed to unsettle her illustrious opponent with some clever drop shots and lobs.

MADRID (Reuters) – World number one Novak Djokovic was dumped out of the Madrid Open in the second round on Tuesday when he went over on his damaged ankle and was upset 7-6 6-7 6-3 by unseeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

Djokovic, who had a bye in the opening round, was already a break down to the promising 21-year-old in the second set when he twisted the same ankle he hurt playing for Serbia in the Davis Cup last month.

MADRID, May 7 (Reuters) – World number one Novak Djokovic was dumped out of the Madrid Open in the second round on Tuesday when he went over on his damaged ankle and was upset 7-6 6-7 6-3 by unseeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

Djokovic, who had a bye in the opening round, was already a break down to the promising 21-year-old in the second set when he twisted the same ankle he hurt playing for Serbia in the Davis Cup last month.

MADRID (Reuters) – Roger Federer looked as sharp as ever in his first outing after a two-month layoff as he eased past Radek Stepanek 6-3 6-3 at the Madrid Open on Tuesday before Andy Murray came through a testing encounter against Florian Mayer 7-6 7-6.

Defending champion at the clay Masters event in the Spanish capital, Federer chose an eye-catching mint-green shirt for his first match since losing to Rafa Nadal at the Indian Wells Masters in March.

MADRID, May 7 (Reuters) – Roger Federer looked as sharp as ever in his first outing after a two-month layoff as he eased past Radek Stepanek 6-3 6-3 at the Madrid Open on Tuesday before Andy Murray came through a testing encounter against Florian Mayer 7-6 7-6.

Defending champion at the clay Masters event in the Spanish capital, Federer chose an eye-catching mint-green shirt for his first match since losing to Rafa Nadal at the Indian Wells Masters in March.