Li Na has booked her place in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open with a straight-sets victory over Zheng Jie.
The world number two got the better of her Chinese compatriot 6-1 7-5 in the second round at Indian Wells.
Li raced to a 6-1 success in the opening set in 29 minutes, but 30-year-old Zheng threatened to stage a comeback in the second.
However, the Australian Open champion eventually wrapped up the win in an hour and 34 minutes.
"I'm happy with the result today, but I still feel I have so many things I can improve," WTA's official website quotes her as saying.
"This was my first match since Doha three weeks ago, and I probably won't be 100% for my first match back.
"But I was happy I could at least learn some things from today's match."
Li will next face Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic.