WILD ABOUT SERENA

UNSEEDED Serena Williams will face Naomi Osaka in the Miami Open first round today after the tournament director called for a rule change to stop “punishing” new mothers.

Williams (right) has dropped to world No.491 following her 13 months on maternity leave. She is playing on a wildcard, but is not allowed to be seeded.

Miami’s director, former player James Blake, said: “This shouldn’t happen. It’s a kind of punishment, which is tough.”