AFP, Miami :
World number one Serena Williams launched her bid for an eighth title at the Miami WTA and ATP Masters on Saturday with a victory over Monica Niculescu.
The 33-year-old American defeated the cagey Romanian for the second tournament in succession, showing no sign of the knee injury that forced her to forfeit her Indian Wells quarter-final in a 6-3, 6-1 win.
“It was a little sore in practice, but it was OK today,” Williams said of her knee. “I really didn’t feel it today, to be honest.
“Once you step out on the court you have so much adrenaline going. The adrenaline kind of kills it. So I was surprised. I felt pretty good.”
Williams, who had more trouble beating spin-merchant Niculescu in her opening match at Indian Wells, needed just an hour and 21 minutes to get past her in this match postponed from Friday when rain washed out the night session at Crandon Park.
“I don’t think I had that many unforced errors, especially in comparison to the last time I played her,” Williams said. “I think that was a little bit better.”
The 33-year-old American star next faces 15-year-old compatriot Catherine “CiCi” Bellis. Bellis advanced with a 6-2, 6-1 win over 29th-seeded Zarina Diyas on Friday.
In men’s action, 11th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga celebrated his return from a lingering arm injury with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over American Tim Smyczek.
Tsonga, who hadn’t played since France’s Davis Cup tie against Switzerland in November, said he was satisfied with his 2015 debut. “I didn’t expect to play my best tennis today ever, but I’m happy the way I managed my match,” said the Frenchman. “I played pretty solid, I just had a little hole in the second set.
“But it’s normal when you didn’t play since couple of months now,” he added. “I hope it’s going to be better and better, but for first match was already something good for me.”
Tsonga finished with 30 winners and 36 unforced errors against his 74th-ranked opponent. The former Australian Open finalist converted two of his break point chances and delivered 10 aces.
