Alicia Molik's progressed to the second round of the Sony Ericsson Open with a 6-1 6-1 win over Ashley Harkleroad.

The 29-year-old returned to the WTA Tour after a 15-month absence at the start of the year and has started to find form after reaching the last 16 at Indian Wells last week.

The former world number eight was been handed a wildcard entry in Miami and after her convincing first-up win she will meet 27th seed Agnes Szavay from Hungary in the next round.

China's Shuai Peng will play top seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round after beating Vania King 6-4 1-6 6-3 while Sorana Cirstea set up a meeting with Venus Williams after ousting Michelle Larcher De Brito 7-4 7-6 (11/9).

Also progressing to the next round were Gisela Dulko, Lucie Safarova, Yaroslava Shvedova, Polona Hercog, Magdalena Rybarikova, Alla Kudryavtseva, Petra Kvitova, Alexandra Dulghera and wildcard Petra Martic.