Miami: USA’s Serena Williams returned after a long ankle injury layoff to defeat China's Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-3 at the first round matchup of the Sony Ericsson Open here.

Making an appearance after the Australian Open last years, Williams took only 80 minutes to perish her Chinese opponent. She made six aces and won 64 percent of her first serves.

In other matches played Russian second seed Maria Sharapova defeated Israel's Shahar Peer 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, while Belgium's Kim Clijsters thrashed German 14th seed Julia Goerges 6-2, 7-5.

Both these players made it to the third round of the tournament.

By Indian Sports News Network