Two-time Miami Open champion Victoria Azarenka eased into the women's singles second round by beating Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain 6-1, 6-3 here.
Belarus' Azarenka, who won here in 2009 and 2011, missed the tournament in 2013 and 2014 due to right ankle and left foot injuries, respectively, reports Xinhua.
World No.1 Serena Williams is prepared to fight through pain to get on to the court on Friday in her title defending efforts. The 19-time Grand Slam singles champion was forced out of her Indian Wells semifinal last week against eventual champion Simona Halep.
Williams said on Wednesday that she expects to "manage pain" when she opens in the second round against Romanian Monica Niculescu.
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