Pakistan, July 29 -- Liudmila Samsonova, the 2022 Mubadala DC Open champion, enjoyed her return to Washington on Monday, beating sixth-seeded Madison Keys 3-6, 6-4, ?6-4 in the first round.

The Russian withstood 10 aces from Keys by winning 80% of her first-serve points (35 of 44).

It was a less stressful day for other seeded players, as eighth-seeded Emma Navarro defeated Sofia Kenin ?6-3, 7-5 and seventh-seeded Leylah Fernandez of Canada controlled Poland's Magda Linette 6-1, 6-4.

Other winners on Monday were Ashlyn Krueger, Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Indonesia's Janice Tjen.

Katie Volynets battled for a 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (3) upset win against third-seeded Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland in first-round action at Memphis.

Volyn...