Sports News in Brief
Four straight
SAO PAULO, Brazil - Defending champion Nicolas Almagro of Spain defeated Chilean qualifier Paul Capdeville 6-4 6-7 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the Brazil Open on Thursday. The 11th-ranked Almagro won the last four games to stay on track for his third straight title in Sao Paulo - and fourth overall.
Two set win
SAO PAULO - Rafael Nadal's return to the tennis court gathered momentum with the Spaniard scoring an easy two-set victory in his singles debut at the Brazil Open yesterday. The former world No.1 needed only 78 minutes to prevail over Brazilian Joao Souza, ranked 101st in the world 6-3 6-4. Nadal advanced to the quarter-finals to be played today.
Ruthless play
DOHA - World number one Victoria Azarenka stormed into the Qatar Open quarter-finals yesterday with a ruthless 6-0 6-0 triumph over highly-regarded American Christina McHale. Defending champion Azarenka, who is at risk of losing her top ranking to Serena Williams beat McHale, a 20-year-old who has already posted seven victories over top 10 opponents.
Elbow surgery
LONDON - England paceman Tim Bresnan has had surgery on his right elbow but should be fit to return for the home Test series against New Zealand in May. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday said Bresnan would begin a rehabilitation after an "uncomplicated operation" to remove extra bone.