Two-time Miami Open champion Victoria Azarenka easily advanced to the second round, beating Silvia Soler-Espinosa of Spain 6-1 6-3.
World No.36 Azarenka, the 2009 and 2011 winner from Belarus, is playing in Miami for the first time since 2012 after missing the 2013 tournament with a right-ankle injury and sitting out last year with a left-foot injury.
“It’s been unfortunate the last couple of years for me, but I love this tournament,” said Azarenka
The left-foot injury plagued Azarenka throughout last season, limiting her to nine tournaments.
This year, she reached the Doha final in February.