The American, who won the women’s singles title in 2018, was just two games away from a fifth straight defeat.

But Stephens managed to avoid another first-round exit as she beat Dodin 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 6-2 at the Women’s Tennis Association 1000 event.

"It's been a rough one for me lately, so I'm really pleased to get through that, fight my way through it and make it happen somehow," said Stephens.

"There have been so many times where I was like, 'I can't do this. I want to quit. I want to give up,' and I think it's not quite time yet.

"I think I still have a lot of tennis left in me.

"I'm just happy to battle through and to find my way back to where I want to be."

American Danielle Collins, a semi-finalist in Miami in 2018, was an impressive opening-round victor, striking 27 winners to oust France’s Kristina Mladenovic 6-3, 6-3.

Fellow Frenchwoman Fiona Ferro was also knocked out as she let slip a one-set lead to lose 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to China’s Zheng Saisai.

But Alizé Cornet and Caroline Garcia ensured there was French presence in the second round.

Cornet claimed a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 comeback victory over two-time Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia.

Garcia needed just 64 minutes to beat qualifier Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-1, 6-2 to set up a meeting with another Romanian in number three seed Simona Halep.

Three-time winner Victoria Azarenka of Belarus moved through to the third round without hitting a ball, as Germany's Laura Siegemund - who defeated American Christina McHale yesterday - withdrew due to a knee injury.

Latvian Jelena Ostapenko led by a set and 3-1, but was dragged into a decider before seeing off Chinese teenager Wang Xiyu 6-4, 6-7 (7-4), 6-1 in 2 hours and 12 minutes.

It was also the first day of the men’s singles at the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Masters 1000 event.

Australian Alexei Popyrin marked his Miami Open debut with a victory as he knocked out Spain’s Feliciano Lopez, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

Britain’s Cameron Norrie recovered from 5-1 down in the deciding set to defeat Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Frenchman Hugo Gaston charged past Germany’s Dominik Koepfer 6-1, 6-4 to earn his maiden ATP Masters 1000 victory.

Chinese Taipei's Yen-Hsun Lu will meet top seed Daniil Medvedev in the next round after downing experienced American Sam Querrey 6-3, 6-4.

Frances Tiafoe was down a set and a break to Italian Stefano Travaglia, but the American came roaring back on Wednesday to reach the second round with a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 victory.

South African Lloyd Harris earned his first ATP Masters 1000 win with a 6-4, 7-6 (9-7) win over American qualifier Emilio Nava.

Making his first Miami Open appearance, Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori held his nerve against 17-year-old Carlos Alcaraz of Spain to triumph 6-4, 2-6, 7-5.

The 21-year-old , who fired 16 winners and broke Alcaraz’s serve three times, will take on third seed Alexander Zverev of Germany next.

American qualifier Mackenzie McDonald secured a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 victory over a furious Vasek Pospisil who later apologised for a foul-mouthed rant during the match.

The Canadian told the umpire: "For an hour-and-a-half yesterday, chair of the ATP fucking screaming at me in a player meeting for trying to unite the players.

"For an hour and a half. 

"The leader of the ATP. 

"Get him out here, fucking asshole.

"Why am I supporting this?"

After the match Pospisil issued an apology on social media.

"I want to sincerely apologise for my behaviour on the court in Miami earlier today," said Pospisil on Twitter.

"I disrespected the game I love and for that I am truly sorry. 

"By way of explanation, I felt deeply unnerved during a meeting between players and ATP executives last night, and I underestimated the toll those emotions took on me until I stepped onto the court today.

"Again, I am sorry for my on-court behaviour and the language I used."

Action is due to continue tomorrow with men's first round and women's second round matches.