General / Editor / 27 March 2007 /

Serena Williams had to overcome racial abuse from a spectator before completing a straight sets victory over Lucie Safarova in Miami.

The 25-year-old's 6-3 6-4 victory set up a clash with Russia's Maria Sharapova in the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open - a repeat of the Australian Open which the American won in straight sets, but the match was overshadowed by events surrounding an unruly man in the crowd.

After putting up with the abuse for a while the eight-time Grand Slam winner complained to the umpire and the offending person was removed and handed to the police.

Clearly flustered by the incident, the younger Williams sister revealed her disbelief at what she was forced to endure.

"I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. I had to do a double-take," she said. "I think I hit a double fault at that point.

"Who says these things outside of first grade? At a professional venue you don't do that. It was shocking, I could not believe he'd stoop to that level.

"I really should have said something sooner. Even the people out there were pointing to who he was. The guy was saying things that should not have been said. It was derogatory.

"Then every time I missed a shot or serve, he would say, 'That's the way to do it'."

After destroying the Russian in the final of this year's Australian Open to take a 3-2 lead in the head-to-head series, Williams is the favourite at 1.76 to win their fourth-round match, while Sharapova is on offer at 2.3.

Justine Henin heads the market to lift the trophy in Miami at 3.5 with Williams available at 4.7, while Sharapova is next best at 6.2.

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