Liudmila Samsonova made a triumphant return to Washington on Monday, knocking out sixth-seeded Madison Keys 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round of play. The Russian player, who claimed the Mubadala DC Open title back in 2022, showed her resilience despite facing 10 aces from Keys, ultimately winning 80 percent of her own first-serve points — converting 35 of 44 attempts.
The day proved far smoother for several other seeded competitors. Eighth-seeded Emma Navarro dispatched Sofia Kenin 6-3, 7-5, while seventh-seeded Leylah Fernandez of Canada dominated Poland’s Magda Linette with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory.
Additional first-round winners on Monday included Ashlyn Krueger, Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto, and Indonesia’s Janice Tjen.
Memphis Classic
Over in Memphis, Katie Volynets delivered a gutsy upset, taking down third-seeded Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (3). Volynets dug deep after dropping the first three games of the deciding set, while Golubic struggled with eight double faults and failed to record a single ace throughout the match.
Fifth-seeded Camila Osorio of Colombia was the only other seeded player in action, defeating Australian qualifier Storm Hunter 7-5, 7-5. Osorio was effective on serve, winning 76 percent of her first-serve points — going 26 for 34.
Other players advancing on Monday in Memphis included Australia’s Maya Joint, Russia’s Anastasia Zakharova and Tatiana Prozorova, Germany’s Tatjana Maria, and Belarus’ Iryna Shymanovich.
