Dubai, UAE  - French surprise packet Virginie Razzano will relax with her boyfriend and a calming glass of beer before facing Venus Williams for the title at the Barclays Championships on Saturday.

The number 58 with two career titles from 2007 is not one to worry too much about the immediate future after crushing Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-1, 6-2.

Venus Williams advanced over her world number one sibling as they met for the 19th time, winning 6-1, 2-6, 7-6 (7-3).

Dubai, UAE  - Rafael Nadal joined Roger Federer on the injury list for next week's Barclays Championships, with the Spanish No. 1 pulling out on Thursday to rest from a knee injury.

Nadal's website said that he had to cancel his trip to Dubai due to doctor's orders.

Separately, Federer withdrew with a back injury, which will also cause him to skip Switzerland's Davis Cup tie in Alabama against the United States March 6-8.

Dubai, UAE  - Ana Ivanovic got off to a winning start under new coach Craig Kardon, reaching the second round in a stroll at the Barclays Championships on Monday.

The French Open winner only teamed with the American a week or so ago in hopes of stopping her slide after winning Roland Garros but failing to back up that big win.

The Serb defeated Russian Alisa Kleybanova 7-5, 6-4 to take revenge for a third-round upset loss in the Australian Open, the last time Ivanovic played a WTA match.

Abu Dhabi  - A cargo ship and its crew have been reported missing off the Abu Dhabi coastline, officials said on Friday.

"We lost contact with the ship two days ago," said Muhair Ali al- Khatri, director general of the Critical National Infrastructure Authority (CNIA).

The unnamed vessel, which was carrying cars and trucks, went missing between Jebel Dhanna and al-Qarnain island, which lies 180 kilometres north-west of Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.

Al-Khatri was quoted by the official WAM news agency as saying that CNIA dispatched six rescue boats and two helicopters to search for the vessel, which had nine people onboard.

Singapore - A delegation from Abu Dhabi is studying Singapore's approach and experiences in tackling many of the challenges of a city state including the threat of terrorism and developing new niches for economic growth, a news report said Wednesday.

Twenty-one delegates are attending a forum where Singapore officials explain the city state's best practices and how it has prepared to tackle terrorism and the 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Abu Dhabi, UAE  - Andy Murray remains more excited about his fast-improving Australian Open chances than even the 250,000-dollar prize packet he stands to win in the final with Rafael Nadal at the Capitala Championship in Abu Dhabi.

Murray reached the Saturday title showdown as he beat Roger Federer in three sets at the exhibition.

"It's always a challenge playing Roger," said the Scot, ranked fourth. "I've got the better of him on a few occasions, but in the big one we played, at the US Open final, he beat me pretty badly.