Two-time Miami Open winner Victoria Azarenka defeated Spain 's Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-1 6-3 on Wednesday to set up a second round meeting with Serbia 's Jelena Jankovic . Former world No 1 Azarenka made her name with victory in Miami in 2009 and followed that up with another triumph in 2011 but hampered by injuries , she has fallen down the world rankings in the past year to No 36 . The Belarusian , who has not been in Miami for three years , had to fight back from 3-1 down in the second set to ensure she advanced in straight sets . Victoria Azarenka is through to the Miami Open second round after beating Silvia Soler-Espinosa . Azarenka defeated Soler-Espinosa 6-1 6-3 on Wednesday to set up a clash against Jelena Jankovic . Soler-Espinosa was a break up in the second set but failed to hold to her advantage against Azarenka . ' I felt I played really good in the first set but in the second I dropped a little my aggressivity , ' [ sic ] said Azarenka . 'But it is nice to be back somewhere where I had a lot of success . I 've always loved this city and this tournament . ' Azarenka will face a tough test in the next round with in form Jankovic coming off a run to the Indian Wells final before falling to Romanian Simona Halep . Third-seed Halep will face Czech Nicole Vaidisova , the former world No 7 back on the tour after ending her retirement . The 25-year-old Vaidisova beat Hungarian Timea Babos 6-1 7-6 in what was her first WTA-level match since Memphis in 2010 . Nicole Vaidisova will face third seed Simona Halep in the second round after beating Timea Babos 6-1 7-6 . Russian wildcard Daria Gavrilova advanced past New Zealand 's , Marina Erakovic who had to retire with an ankle injury when down 5-1 . Gavrilova will face compatriot and second seed Maria Sharapova in the second round . Top seed Serena Williams , who had to pull out of her semi-final in Indian Wells with a knee injury , says she will be ready to face Romanian Monica Niculescu on Friday . 'It 's okay . I know I 'm going to have to manage the pain . I think you just have to figure out the best way around it . I do n't want to put much pressure on it before [ Friday ] ' said Williams , who has won seven titles at Miami . Russian wildcard Daria Gavrilova will face compatriot and second seed Maria Sharapova in the next round .
Victoria Azarenka defeated Silvia Soler-Espinosa 6-1 6-3 on Wednesday . Azarenka has won the Miami Open twice - back in 2009 and 2011 . Former world No 1 Azarenka has slipped down to No 36 due to injuries .