David Nalbandian was defeated by Spaniard Rafael Nalbandian after a tight 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, while Juan Martín Del Potro lost to Swiss Roger Federer by 6-3, 6-2 at the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells ATP tournament.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff assured FIFA chief Sepp Blatter the country would be ready to host the 2014 World Cup, easing tensions over the slow pace of preparations for the finals.
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer each needed three sets to reach the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells ATP tournament while Rafa Nadal advanced with a comfortable victory over Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Mike Woodson did not have long to wait for his first win as new coach of the New York Knicks as his team trampled the Portland Trail Blazers 121-79 at Madison Square Garden to end a six-game losing streak.
Manchester United's humiliating European season ended when they were knocked out of the Europa League by an energetic and skilful Athletic Bilbao side who marched into the quarter-finals with a 5-3 aggregate victory.