MARCOS Baghdatis breezed past Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer 6-1, 6-4 in the opening round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami to set up a clash with world number one Novak Djokovic.
The 26-year-old Cypriot dominated the opening set where he was all but untouchable on his first serve, winning 79 percent of the points, and ruthlessky took his chances as he broke Mayer twice.
Baghdatis continued to play at the same level in the second set and he broke again instantly, but Mayer managed to break back in the next service game to level the score.
However, that was never going to be enough to stop the Cypriot, who broke Mayer again in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. He then held serve until the end of the match that lasted an hour and 23 minutes.
Djokovic, who is the top seed and defending champion in Miami, has beaten Baghdatis in all six meetings between the two so far.
Late last night, Baghdatis teamed up with American Sam Querrey in the doubles as they took on seventh-seeded Indian Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic.
Elsewhere, Serena Williams made a triumphant return to the WTA Tour, crushing China‘s Zhang Shuai 6-2 6-3 in the second round in Miami.
A five-time winner of the elite event, the American fired down six aces and broke her opponent four times on the way to a one-sided victory in her first appearance since the Australian Open in January.
“I’m always a little nervous in the first round, and I kind of chill out after that,” 10th seed and former world number one Williams told reporters. “It’s always the same. It’s always been the same.
“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. I didn’t do that today, so it worked out well.”
Williams, who won the title in Miami in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008, had not played in the event since 2009 because of injury and illness.
The 13-time grand slam singles champion will next face Italy‘s Roberta Vinci, who swept aside Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 7-5 6-1.
Belgium‘s Kim Clijsters, another former number one on the comeback trail, booked her place in the third round with a 6-2 7-5 win over Germany‘s Julia Goerges on a blustery day in Miami.
“With these weather conditions it’s tough serving,” Clijsters said. “I don’t think there’s anybody who plays a whole tournament with perfect tennis, so you have to try and battle through, find the solutions when you’re not playing your best.
“Mentally, that’s one of the biggest focuses I have when I step out on the court here in
Miami, where it can get very windy.”
Clijsters is playing in her first tournament since she lost to eventual champion Victoria Azarenka in the Australian Open semi-finals when she injured her ankle.
