Powerpuff ladies advance to third round at Miami
Miami, March 23: Serena Williams, saying she felt nervous and rusty, made a triumphant WTA return from a left ankleinjury, defeating China’s Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday at the WTA and ATP Miami hardcourt event.
Fellow former World No.1 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, Serena 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,” Serena said.
“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,” she said.
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.
The 10th seed Serena missed the event the past two years because of illness and injury. “I’m always a little nervous in the first round. I kind of chill out after that,” Serena said.
“Last time I played I played horrible and I was thinking as long as I don’t hit a ball into the stands I’ll be good,” she added.
Sharapova advanced after beating Israel’s Shahar Peer 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. She denied Peer on 10-of-13 break-point chances while taking half the 10 she earned for herself. Sharapova will next face American Sloane Stephens, who ousted Italy’s Sara Errani.
Clijsters ousted
Julia Goerges 6-2, 7-5. “I don’t think there’s anybody who plays a whole tournament with perfect tennis, so you have to try and find the solutions when you’re not playing your best,” Clijsters said.
Meanwhile, Wozniacki beat Czech Republic’s Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-4, 6-0. — AFP