Serena Williams made a successful return to the WTA Tour by beating Zhang Shuai 6-2 6-3 in the second round of the Sony Ericsson Open.
American crushes Zhang, Clijsters also through in Miami
Serena Williams made a successful return to the WTA Tour by beating Zhang Shuai 6-2 6-3 in the second round of the Sony Ericsson Open.
The 10th seed, who has only played two Fed Cup matches since losing in the fourth round of the Australian Open in January, had no problems seeing off her Chinese opponent.
Williams has been battling an ankle problem which has caused her to miss playing time at the beginning of 2012.
The five-time winner of the Miami event will face Roberta Vinci in the next round after the Italian ousted Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova 7-5 6-1.
"I was really nervous out there. I haven't played here for so long, and I wanted to do well," Williams said.
"My worst fear actually was as long as I don't hit a ball in the stands, I'll be good. I didn't do that today, so it worked out well for me."
Sharapova scare
Second seed Maria Sharapova fought back from a set down to win her second round clash with Shahar Peer 4-6 6-3 6-3.
The Russian served 12 double faults and saved 10 break points as she was forced dig deep in the second round encounter.
Sixth seed Samantha Stosur was an easy winner as she saw off Russian player Valeria Savinykh 6-4 6-0.
Elsewhere, Kim Clijsters continued her own successful return to action as she toppled 14th seed Julia Goerges 6-2 7-5.
The Belgian, who is playing in her first tournament since reaching the Australian Open semi-finals, defeated Jarmila Gajdosova in the opening round before disposing of Goerges on Thursday.
Number 13 seed Jelena Jankovic bowed out of the tournament in disappointing fashion as she was comfortably beaten 6-0 6-3 by Germany's Mona Barthel.
There was no such trouble for 12th seed Sabine Lisicki as she defeated Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson 6-3 6-2 to cruise into the next round.
World No.6 Caroline Wozniacki wasted little time easing to a 6-4 6-0 win against Czech opponent Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.
