• Sony Ericsson Open

Safina eases through, Wozniacki next for home favourite

ESPN staff
March 24, 2011
Dinara Safina's serve was on target in Miami © Getty Images
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Sony Ericsson Open seedings

Former world No. 1 Dinara Safina showed flashes of brilliance as she booked her place in the second round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami with a straight-sets win over Jelena Dokic.

Dokic, who has also enjoyed a resurgence, winning her first title since 2002 at the Malaysian Open earlier this month, was outmuscled by Safina, who created 14 break point opportunities.

Safina, who reached the third round at Indian Wells last week - the first time she had won three straight matches in well over a year, broke her opponent in the ninth game of each set before wrapping up the victory with an ace.

"I was really pleased with my serve and showed I can serve not only double faults but also some aces," Safina said.

The Russian will meet third seed Vera Zvonareva in the second round, while top seed Caroline Wozniacki awaits Bethanie Mattek-Sands after the American beat Sofia Arvidsson in straight sets.

In the absence of the Williams sisters, Mattek-Sands is the top-ranked American in the draw, and on her 26th birthday she gave the crowds plenty to cheer about as she set up a 6-1 6-4 victory.

Kimiko Date-Krumm continued to defy her age as she beat Zuzana Ondraskova 6-4 6-3. The 40-year-old lost her serve five times but battled hard to seal the victory and a second-round clash against No. 19 seed Ana Ivanovic.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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