TENNIS: World No.1 Novak Djokovic eased into the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters with a straight sets victory over qualifier Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

It was a comfortable win for Djokovic who came through 6-1, 6-4 and he faces Andreas Haider-Maurer, who defeated Bernard Tomic in three sets, in the next round.

World No.7 David Ferrer joined Djokovic in the third round as his opponent Victor Estrella Burgos retired with a shoulder injury with Ferrer leading 6-2, 2-0, while 11th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga got his campaign under way with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff.

Grigor Dmitrov, who like Tsonga was competing in the first round, came through a stern examination to beat Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Gael Monfils also went the distance after coming from a set down to defeat Andrey Kuznetsov 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 while Gilles Simon overcame wildcard Benjamin Balleret in their first-round match.

Jeremy Chardy will face Roger Federer in the third round today, while Juan Monaco and Lucas Pouille will face Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal respectively after coming through their openers.

Jamie Murray and Australian John Peers lost 4-6, 7-6, 10-6 against Monfils and Tsonga in the first round of the doubles.

Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova has pulled out of Russia's Fed Cup semi-final against Germany in Sochi this weekend with a leg injury, and is also a doubt for the WTA Stuttgart Open, which starts on April 20, where she would be defending her title.

SNOOKER: Graeme Dott, Jamie Burnett and Anthony McGill have a fight on their hands to clinch a place in the Betfred World Championship which starts at The Crucible on Saturday.

After a high-scoring first session, 2006 champion Dott came out 5-4 down to China's Yu Delu.

Rising star McGill is also just a frame behind. The 24-year-old made a top break of 77 in the first session, and goes into the conclusion 5-4 down to Mark King.

Burnett has a more difficult task on his hands. The Hamilton potter is 6-3 behind against in-form Englishman Craig Steadman.

Last year's quarter-finalist Alan McManus resumes with a 6-3 lead over Mitchell Mann.