Rain again spoils Miami Open party, wiping out play

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; (L-R) Naomi Osaka of Japan, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Serena Williams of the United States, and Roger Federer of Switzerland participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony on new stadium court at Hard Rock Stadium prior to play in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

MIAMI (Reuters) - Rain again spoiled the Miami Open party wiping out the evening session on Wednesday and adding to what has been a soggy and dejecting kickoff to a tournament looking for a new start.

A move from the cramped Crandon Park on picturesque Key Biscayne to the wide open spaces at Hard Rock Stadium was hoped to provide the Miami Open with a bright future.

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; (ML-MR) Naomi Osaka of Japan, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Serena Williams of the United States, Roger Federer of Switzerland, and Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium owner Steven Ross participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony on new stadium court at Hard Rock Stadium prior to play in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

But so far dark storm clouds have cast a wet shadow over proceedings.

Prior to the start of the tournament, officials had boasted a 25 percent jump in ticket sales but the stands have been mostly empty through two days with only one of four sessions completed.

Organisers have now been left with a backlog of matches to schedule and sending out refunds.

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Serena Williams of the United States (L) speaks with Roger Federer of Switzerland (R) during a ribbon cutting ceremony on new stadium court at Hard Rock Stadium prior to play in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Canadian teen sensation Bianca Andreescu, who claimed a stunning victory at Indian Wells on Sunday, was to be the headliner on the opening day but never made it onto the 13,800-seat stadium court to face Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu.

Following a ceremonial ribbon cutting earlier in the day under sunny skies involving Serena Williams, Roger Federer and world number ones Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic, action got underway with three-time Miami champion Victoria Azarenka defeating Dominika Cibulkova 6-2 3-6 6-4 to christen the venue.

All of the 29-year-old Belarusian's titles were celebrated at Crandon Park but the move to Miami suburbs did not have any affect on Azarenka as the twice Australian Open champion pounded 41 winners past her Slovak opponent.

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia (L) speaks to Serena Williams of the United States (R) during a ribbon cutting ceremony on new stadium court at Hard Rock Stadium prior to play in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

"I think the stadium is beautiful. I think the logistics here work out pretty well," said Azarenka, a former world number one. "I feel the expansion of the tournament was, first of all, really necessary.

"There is a lot more room. There is a lot better facilities. So I'm pretty happy."

Before the rain began 17-year-old American hope Amanda Anisimova gave the small crowd something to cheer about as she romped into the second round with 6-4 6-3 decision over Germany's Andrea Petkovic.

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; (L-R) Naomi Osaka of Japan, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Serena Williams of the United States, and Roger Federer of Switzerland participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony on new stadium court at Hard Rock Stadium prior to play in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Before Andreescu grabbed the spotlight Anisimova had appeared to be the teenager to watch after she started 2019 with a run to the quarter-finals in Auckland and a fourth round appearance at the Australian Open.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Victoria Azarenka of Belarus hits a backhand against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Victoria Azarenka of Belarus serves against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia hits a backhand against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia hits a forehand against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reaches for a backhand against Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Andrea Petkovic of Germany serves against Amanda Anisimova of the United States (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Amanda Anisimova of the United States reaches for a backhand against Andrea Petkovic of Germany (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Andrea Petkovic of Germany hits a backhand against Amanda Anisimova of the United States (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Amanda Anisimova of the United States hits a forehand against Andrea Petkovic of Germany (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke

Mar 20, 2019; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Amanda Anisimova of the United States celebrates after winning a point against Andrea Petkovic of Germany (not pictured) in the first round of the Miami Open at Miami Open Tennis Complex. Geoff Burke