By Lauren Lynch

(March 22, 2011) Miami, it has begun for the ladies! America's sweetheart Melanie Oudin upset German Julia Goerges 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the Sony Ericsson Open. A great victory for a young American hopeful after seeing Donald Young take out Andy Murray in the second round and Ryan Harrison defeating Milos Raonic last week.

Oudin is the World No. 75 and owns no WTA tour titles while Goerges is the World No. 35, owns two titles, and made it to the third round of the US Open. She will play World No. 25 Daniella Hantuchova next.

The other American to keep your eyes on is newbie Madison Keys, who was granted a wild card, and is playing World No. 41 Patty Schnyder, today. The other USA native players are Indian Wells doubles finalist Bethanie Mattek-Sands, wild card Coco Vandegwhe, and Varvara Lepchenko. The qualifyer draw will determine the rest.

The other players granted wild cards are Dinara Safina, Heather Watson, Sorana Cirstea, Sabine Lisicki, Petra Martic, and Ajla Tomljanovic.

World No. 59 Jie Zheng took out Xperia Hot Shots contestant Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 7-3, 6-3.

Stay tuned for an analysis of the men's singles draw tonight!