Serena, Sharapova register wins at Miami Open

Former world number ones advance to third round of hardcourt event.

MIAMI: Serena Williams made a triumphant WTA return from a left ankle injury, defeating China’s Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-3 at the WTA and ATP Miami hardcourt event.

Fellow former world number one players Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki also advanced to the third round at the $9.6 million tournament, which awarded byes in the first round to seeded players.

In her first tournament match since losing in the fourth round at the Australian Open, Williams fired six aces and connected on 64 per cent of her first serves while dropping only one service break to advance in 80 minutes.

“I was a little bit rusty and a little bit nervous too,” said Serena. “I haven’t played here for so long and I wanted to do well. So I was really nervous out there, but I think now I’ve gotten one under I’ll be better.”

Serena also praised her opponent Zhang. “I think she played really well. She’s pretty young. She’s doing really well.”

The 13-time Grand Slam singles champion advanced to a third-round match against Italy’s Roberta Vinci, who ousted Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 7-5, 6-1.

Meanwhile, Russian second-seed Sharapova advanced by rallying to defeat Israel’s Shahar Peer 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, after two hours and 24 minutes. She denied Peer on 10-of-13 break-point chances while half the 10 she earned for herself.

Three-time Grand Slam singles champion Sharapova will next face American Sloane Stephens, who ousted Italy’s Sara Errani.

Belgium’s Clijsters ousted German 14th seed Julia Goerges 6-2, 7-5. The second set saw nine service breaks.

“I don’t think there’s anybody who plays a whole tournament with perfect tennis, so you have to try and battle through, and find the solutions when you’re not playing your best,” said Clijsters.

Danish fourth seed Wozniacki opened by ousting Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-4, 6-0.

On the men’s side, US wildcard Ryan Harrison beat Italy’s Potito Starace 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-4 to book a second-round date with Swiss star Roger Federer.

Marcus Baghdatis of Cyprus advanced with a 6-1, 6-1 triumph over Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer, advancing to a second-round match on Saturday against Serian World No 1 Novak Djokovic, winner of the past three Grand Slam crowns.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2012.