It was a day for the favourites as all four of the top seeds emerged unscathed on their way to the second round.
British number three Naomi Broady saved a match point on her way to beating Jarmila Gajdasova in three sets to move into the second round. After dropping the first set, Broady snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in her first appearance at the Citi Open.
Mixed night for Americans
The play started with an all American clash of Christina McHale against Coco Vandeweghe in only their second match since their first tie in which McHale won back in 2011. McHale took the first set in just 29 minutes taking it 6-2. With Vandeweghe taking the second set 6-4 the match was set for a third set showdown. McHale broke in the first game of the third set which proved to be vital with both players only dropping serve once more each allowing McHale to serve out the match taking the final set 6-4.
Defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova advanced to the second round after defeating American qualifier Sanaz Marand in straight sets (6-2 6-4). In what was expected to be an easy tie for the Russian, the scoreline does not tell the whole story as she was broken twice in the second set. Fortunately for her, Marand was struggling more on serve and could not take advantage and bowed after an impressive qualifying.
The only other American in action was Sloane Stephens who after a difficult 2014 is starting to build some momentum going into the US Series. Facing Magda Linette she wasted no time at all in dispatching the Pole 6-2 6-1 in just 1 hour 18 minutes. With this win, the American has already matched her total wins from 2014 and with minimal points to defend, she has a huge opportunity to climb the rankings and perhaps be seeded for the US Open.
Best of the rest
Elsewhere saw wins for top seed Ekaterina Makarova who survived what could have been a tricky tie against Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium, emerging the winner in a close match ending 7-5 7-5. Second seed Sam Stosur found her first round a bit easier in what many expected would be a close match against Kristina Mladenovic following their Strasbourg final back in May, coasting through 6-2 6-2 The Australian will be looking to continue her impressive 2015 which has seen her win two titles. Belinda Bencic moved on to the second round with a win against Tereza Smitkova, winning 7-5 6-4 and will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who beat Magdalena Rybarikova in two tie-break sets. Polona Hercog knocked out Julia Glushko in straight sets 6-2 7-5 to improve on her first round exit in Washington last year.