MASON, Ohio - Marin Cilic became the first seed to lose in the Western & Southern Open when 39th-ranked Radu Albot beat him 6-4, 7-6 (6) in the opening round Monday.
Unseeded Venus Williams won the last four games of her match against qualifier Lauren Davis for a 7-5, 6-2 victory, earning a second-round match with fifth-seeded and defending champion Kiki Bertens.
In the first match on Stadium Court, 20th-ranked Elise Mertens dispatched local favorite Caty McNally 7-5, 6-0 to set up a second-round match with Elina Svitolina, the No. 7 seed and a semifinalist at Wimbledon.
Andy Murray was scheduled to play Monday afternoon in his first singles match since the Australian Open in January.