• Sony Ericsson Open

Williams, Ivanovic through in Miami

Ana Ivanovic found some form in Miami with some focused play © Getty Images

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Venus Williams cruised past Sorana Cirstea 6-4 6-3 to book her place in the third round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.

Three-time winner Williams was down a break in each set but responded with two of her own each time to secure a straight sets victory in her first match, having received a bye through the first round.

The American spent around 78 minutes on court in the cool of the evening, setting her up nicely for a tournament she is most pundits' favourite to win despite her third seed status.

Ana Ivanovic eased into the third round with a comfortable 6-4 6-3 victory over Pauline Parmentier.

The Serb had a torrid time in 2009, having won the French Open in 2008, and last week she dropped out of the world's top 50 for the first time since 2005.

She was made to battle in the first set by Parmentier, but a break of serve in the 10th game secured the opening set. Parmentier's resistance was broken by the loss of the first set and Ivanovic was able to ease her way into the third round in an hour and 10 minutes.

Russian No. 1 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova was given a far harder match than she must have expected, as she needed three sets to get the better of China's Shuai Peng 6-2 3-6 6-4.

The No. 6 seed Agnieszka Radwanska was pushed hard in the first set by Ekaterina Makarova before easing to a 7-5 6-0 succcess to progress to the third round.

Alona Bondarenko was sent packing by Gisela Dulko who claimed a 7-5 6-2 win, while Na Li was toppled by Timea Bacsinszky and Daniela Hantuchova proved too good for Patty Schnyder.

Alicia Molik had a day to forget, as she was double bagelled 6-0 6-0 by Agnes Szavay. Petra Martic required three sets to overcome Aravene Rezai 7-5 5-7 6-4, while Yaroslava Shvedova was in total command of her match with Sabine Lisicki, leading 6-3 0-1 when her German rival retired.

Marion Bartoli, the No. 13 seed, proved too good for Magdalena Rybarikova, winning 6-2 6-4, while Aleksandra Wozniak was sent spinning out of the tournament by Polona Hercog who claimed a 7-6(5) 6-3 win.

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