The 30-year-old American tennis player Serena Williams made a triumphant return to the WTA Tour on Thursday, March 22^nd as she crushed China's Zhang Shuai 6-2 6-3 in the second round of the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. It is a great news for Williams who, due to injuries and illness had not played in the event since 2009, though she is five-times winner of the event (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2008). On top of that it is her first game since the Australian Open in January.

I'm always a little nervous in the first round, and I kind of chill out after that, 10th seed and former world number one Williams told reporters. It's always the same. It's always been the same. Last time I played I played horrible, and I was thinking as long as I don't hit a ball into the stands I'll be good. I didn't do that today, so it worked out well.

The 13-time grand slam singles champion will next face in the third round Italy's Roberta Vinci, who swept aside Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 7-5 6-1.

Another former number one Kim Clijsters overcame her blustery conditions and won big on Thursday over Germany's Julia Goerges with 6-2 7-5. With these weather conditions it's tough serving, Clijsters said. I don't think there's anybody who plays a whole tournament with perfect tennis, so you have to try and battle through, find the solutions when you're not playing your best. Mentally, that's one of the biggest focuses I have when I step out on the court here in Miami, where it can get very windy.

Clijsters is playing in her first tournament since she lost to eventual champion Victoria Azarenka in the Australian Open semi-finals when she injured her ankle. She will be taking on countrywoman Yanina Wickmayer in the third round.

In other matches on Thursday, second-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova fought back to beat Shahar Peer of Israel 4-6 6-3 6-3 and Australia's Sam Stosur, the sixth seed, breezed past Valeria Savinykh of Russia 6-4 6-0. The 4^th seeded Caroline Wozniacki won against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-4 6-0 in a match that lasted an hour and 35 minutes, and she will next play Petra Cetkovska.

WTA Tour - Top 10:

1. Victoria Azarenka – 9,730 points
2. Maria Sharapova – 7,930 points
3. Petra Kvitova 7,170 points
4. Agnieszka Radwanska – 5,960 points
5. Samantha Stosur – 5,825 points
6. Caroline Wozniacki – 5,410 points
7. Marion Bartoli – 4,710 points
8. Li Na – 4,635 points
9. Vera Zvonareva – 4,340 points
10. Andrea Petkovic – 3,800 points