World No.1 Serena Williams is prepared to fight through knee pain to get onto the court and begin defending her title at the Miami Open.

The 19-time grand slam singles champion, forced out before her Indian Wells semi-final last week against eventual champion Simona Halep, said on Wednesday she expects to “manage pain” when she opens in the second round against Romanian Monica Niculescu on Friday.

“I’m just managing where I am right now,” Williams said.

“Just trying to stay out of as much pain as possible and see what happens. I know I’m going to have to manage the pain.

“I think if I’m in that mental state, OK, you might be in a little pain. You just have to figure out the best way around it.”

The Niculescu match is a repeat of the second round a fortnight ago in Indian Wells, which Williams won in two difficult sets, and will probably bring her big pain test.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on it before,” she said.

“I’m just here in Miami, so I’m just going to go for it and see what happens.”

The top seed will be bidding for a record eighth trophy at her home event, capturing her seventh last year when she beat China’s Li Na in the final.

“I definitely don’t have low expectations,” Williams said.

“I just definitely expect to do the best that I can.

“Whether that’s winning or just stepping out on the court, that’s what I’m going to have to do. I don’t feel any pressure because I have won this title a few times, so I feel good about being here.”

The 33-year-old American admitted that she had not imagined being able to play Miami after her knee problem, but added: “It takes a tremendous amount for me to stop. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or that’s a bad thing, but I think I will be OK.”