Serena Williams wins through at Miami Open

Omnisports

March 24, 2016 10:43 AM

Serena Williams extended her winning run at the Miami Open to 19 matches, beating Christina McHale.

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World number one Serena Williams overcame a second-set hiccup to move into the Miami Open third round by overcoming Christina McHale.

The three-time defending champion edged to a 6-3 5-7 6-2 victory at the WTA Premier event on Thursday.

Williams extended her winning run at the event to 19 matches, having last lost in the quarter-finals in 2012.

The 21-time grand-slam champion encountered some problems against her American countrywoman McHale in their first meeting.

Williams rolled out to a 5-1 lead before being broken, but she made no mistake serving out the set in the ninth game.

A break to start the second set sent her on her way, but Williams was broken in the 10th game, squandering a match point as she again failed to close on the first time of asking.

This time, McHale made her pay – breaking serve again to take the second set.

Williams steadied to take a 3-1 lead in the third and she made no mistake in seeing out her victory.

Awaiting her in the third round is Zarina Diyas, who beat Australian 31st seed Daria Gavrilova in straight sets.

Omnisports