Indian Wells, California  - Novak Djokovic insisted Friday that he has nothing to prove beyond trying to play his best tennis as he defends his title at the Indian Wells Masters.

Ranked third behind Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the Serb opens play after a bye as the month-long US spring hard-court season begins in the California desert.

"I'm not trying to defend anything," said the 2008 Australian Open champion, who lifted the Dubai trophy late last month. "I'm always trying to improve, so I don't pay too much attention to the rankings."

Indian Wells, California  - After being out of tennis for more than half a year with a shoulder problem which required October surgery, Maria Sharapova is not ready to rush her tennis comeback.

The Russian, who last major title came at the Australian Open last year, gave her repaired and rehabilitated joint a workout on Thursday as she and Elena Vesnina went down in doubles at the Indian Wells Masters 6-1, 4-6, 10-7 (match tiebreak) to a Russian-Belarus pair.

Indian Wells, California  - Lleyton Hewitt shrugged off hip worries while Andy Murray plans to fight through the after-effects of a virus as play on the ATP side of the Indian Wells Masters got underway on Thursday.

Hewitt, a two-time (2002, 2003) former champion at the desert venue and the 2005 finalist against Roger Federer, ignored the hip niggle which bothered him at weekend Davis Cup in Bangkok as he defeated Czech Jan Hernych 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 to reach the second round.

Indian Wells, California  - Roger Federer Thursday revealed that he will become a father within months, saying long-time girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec is pregnant with the couple's first child.

"I have some really awesome news to share with all of you: Mirka and I are excited to let you know that we will be parents this summer!," the Swiss told his website.

"Mirka is pregnant and we are so happy to be starting a family together."

The world number two called the big event "a dream come true for us."

Indian Wells, California  - Jelena Dokic stumbled to another disheartening defeat six weeks after her surprise Australian Open quarter-final, crashing out in a haze in the first round of the Indian Wells Masters on Wednesday.

The Australian, whose comeback story from a career gone wrong thrilled a nation in Melbourne, was humbled by veteran American Jill Craybas 6-4, 6-2.

Dokic, ranked 80th, was playing only her second WTA match since the Open and admitted she may have gotten her scheduling badly wrong.

Indian Wells, California  - Roger Federer and Darren Cahill have gone their separate ways after a trial coaching run in Dubai was scuppered by a potentially killing travel schedule for the Australian.

Federer, second seed at the Indian Wells Masters, whose ATP play begins Thursday, revealed that Cahill had withdrawn from the potential all-star arrangement due to the tyranny of travel on the tour.

"We decided not to do it," said the Swiss player Wednesday after a hitting session. Federer said he will continue to work with Swiss Davis Cup skipper Severin Luethi.