Miami Open: Novak Djokovic overcomes wobble, Serena Williams cruises into third round

Sport360 staff 09:04 29/03/2015
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  • Novak Djokovic celebrates after victory in his match against Martin Klizan.

    Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams launched their Miami Open repeat bids in constrasting style on Saturday, Djokovic battling past Martin Klizan as Williams cruised into the third round.

    Djokovic, the top seed who is looking for a fifth Miami Masters crown, had to work for his 6-0, 5-7, 6-1 second-round victory over Slovakia's Klizan.

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    The world number one, who beat Roger Federer last weekend for the Indian Wells crown in California, is hoping to duplicate his North American March hardcourt title double of last year.

    In fact, the Serb is bidding to become the first man to complete the sweep three times.

    He looked well on his way to a quick win when he snapped up the opening set against his 41st-ranked opponent in 23 minutes.

    He won the first seven games before Klizan got onto the scoreboard and appeared set to serve out a quick victory with a 5-3 lead in the second.

    Steve Darcis of Belgium plays a forehand en route to victory over Gilles Muller.

    But he dropped his serve and Klizan went on to win the second set before Djokovic re-established control and earned the victory after one hour, 56 minutes.

    Djokovic next plays Belgian qualifier Steve Darcis, a 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3 winner over Gilles Muller.

    Women's world number one Williams had little trouble in a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Monica Niculescu.

    The 33-year-old American, who had a much harder time getting past the Romanian spin-merchant in her Indian Wells opener, showed no sign of the knee injury that forced her to forfeit her quarter-final in California last week.

    Williams next faces 15-year-old compatriot Catherine "CiCi" Bellis.

    Bellis advanced with a 6-2, 6-1 win over 29th-seeded Zarina Diyas on Friday.

    In other men's matches, Japanese fourth seed Kei Nishikori defeated Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-2, 6-1.

    Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic beat Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-1, 6-4 while Spanish sixth seed David Ferrer beat Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-1, 6-1.

    French 11th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga celebrated his return from a lingering arm injury with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over American Tim Smyczek.

    While Williams looked sharp in her second-round match postponed from Friday by rain, sixth-seeded Canadian Eugenie Bouchard fell at the first hurdle, beaten 6-0, 7-6 (7/4) by German qualifier Tatjana Maria.

    In women's third-round play, fourth-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki, Russian eighth-seed Ekaterina Makarova and ninth-seeded German Andrea Petkovic all advanced.

    Venus Williams also booked a fourth-round berth, with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Australian Samantha Stosur.

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