Williams is trying for her fourth Key Biscayne title, and her first since 2001. She has lost only 10 games in two matches and was pleased with her performance.
"I played consistent and not too many errors, which is great for me," she said. "I was just winning all of the important points."
Ai Sugiyama edged No. 7 Daniela Hantuchova 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-5. Other seeded women eliminated were No. 11 Patty Schnyder, No. 22 Katarina Srebotnik and No. 24 Amelie Mauresmo.
On the men's side, No. 16 Paul-Henri Mathieu beat No. 20 Carlos Moya 7-6 (1), 7-5. Dmitry Tursunov rallied past No. 32 Feliciano Lopez 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
RSS