Tennis' Best Competing At Sony Ericsson Open On Key Biscayne

KEY BISCAYNE (CBS4) – It's time to get your tennis on at the annual Sony Ericsson Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on Key Biscayne.

The tournament, which got underway Monday, includes some of the world's top 96 male and female tennis players include defending champions Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters. Venus Williams withdrew from the event citing an abdominal injury that has sidelined her for nearly two months.

The men's qualifying draw will include top seeded 19-year-old Grigor Dmitrov. Veteran Rainer Schuettler, a former Grand Slam finalist, is also in the qualifying draw.

In the women's draw Jelena Dokic is the top seed while future stars Christina McHale, Rebecca Marino, and Michelle Larcher De Brito are also in the qualifying field.

Wednesday's day session will feature Argentine star Juan Martin Del Potro against Brazilian native Ricardo Mello. The night session will feature former world No. 1 Dinara Safina at 7:30 pm followed by former World No. 4 and fan favorite James Blake. Both Blake's and Safina's opponents will be determined after the qualifying rounds.

Thursday's day and night sessions will feature WTA seeded players, Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova, respectively. World No. 1 Wozniacki will face either Sofia Arvidsson or Bethanie Mattek-Sands during the day session while former World No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova will be the featured match of the evening session at 7:30 pm against either Kristina Barrois or Petra Martic.

Friday's schedule is highlighted by former Sony Ericsson Open men's champions, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, as well as defending women's champion Kim Clijsters. Clijsters, the No. 2 ranked woman in the world, and the fifth-seeded men's player Murray will both take to the court for their second round matches during the day session. The evening session will spotlight Serbian with World No. 2 and 2011 Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic opening the evening session's play at 7:30 pm followed by former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic.

The women's final is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 2nd with the men's final scheduled for Sunday, April 3rd.

For more information, call (305) 442-3367 or visit www.sonyericssonopen.com.