Three can't miss first round WTA matches in Miami

As if Indian Wells wasn't enough tennis for the month of March, main-draw play at the Miami Open has already begun. Somehow, the women's first-round promises even more drama than the one from two weeks ago.

Here are three must-see matches:

1

Serena Williams vs. Naomi Osaka

In Indian Wells, Serena got to play her way into her first draw after 14 months away. But not this time—at her home tournament, she has drawn freshly-minted Indian Wells champion Osaka.

It's everything that can be asked of an opening match: an all-time great trying to come back against an up-and-comer trying to stay up. Osaka has been open about how much she idolizes Serena, even saying recently that Serena is the only player left in her list of who she wanted to play the most (the other two were Maria Sharapova and Venus).

2

CiCi Bellis vs. Victoria Azarenka

In another newcomer-versus-veteran matchup, Azarenka will her play her first match of the year outside of California against an 18-year-old from California. Bellis hasn't yet won a title above the 125K level, but she's a had quite a few deep runs already in her career. She currently holds the same ranking, No. 44, that Osaka had on Sunday.

3

Bethanie Mattek-Sands vs. Alize Cornet

Mattek-Sands is making her much-anticipated return to the court after a devastating knee injury at Wimbledon last year. The American has thoroughly chronicled her journey back to the tour, winning over more and more fans with each post and video. She'll face a player who no stranger to injuries in Cornet.

**WTA Miami (March 20-April 1)

-Tennis Channel Plus has Miami Open covered with up to 7 WTA courts, catch all the action live beginning Tuesday, March 20**

**WTA Indian Wells On-Demand

-Watch your favorite WTA matches from Indian Wells on-demand on Tennis Channel Plus**

Get Tennis Channel Plus at BuyTCPlus.com