Cincinnati, USA

Top 5 Photos, August 12: Murray films walk-on; Osaka's media day mood

Andy Murray recorded his Cincinnati introduction, Naomi Osaka was in good spirits with press after returning to No. 1 and Radu Albot ousted a former champion Monday.

Published August 12, 2019

From meeting with the press to a trio of former No. 1-ranked players on the schedule, it was a jam-packed day in Cincinnati. Here are the Top 5 photos from Monday at the Western & Southern Open.

1. Taking the court for his first singles match since undergoing a hip resurfacing surgery in January, two-time former champion Andy Murray was sure to document the milestone moment. The Brit faced Richard Gasquet, who took their first-round matchup, 6-4, 6-4.

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 12: Andy Murray of Great Britain takes the court before the start of his match against Richard Gasquet of France during Day 3 of the Western and Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 12, 2019 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) — © RC

Getty Images.

2. Naomi Osaka was all smiles during her media day appearance. The two-time major winner officially retained the No. 1 ranking Monday after her quarterfinal showing in Toronto was enough to overtake Ashleigh Barty.

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 12: Naomi Osaka of Japan fields questions from the media at the WTA All Access Hour during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 12, 2019 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Getty Images.

3. After saving two break points at 5-5 in the first set, 39-year-old Venus Williams surged ahead to defeat Lauren Davis, 7-5, 6-2, in an all-American clash. Williams had lost four consecutive matches coming in and will take on 2019 WTA match wins leader Kiki Bertens, the No. 5 seed, in the second round.

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 12: Venus Williams of the United States returns a shot to Lauren Davis of the United States during Day 3 of the Western and Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 12, 2019 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) — © RC

Getty Images.

4. Radu Albot saved all six break points he faced to knock out 2016 champion Marin Cilic, 6-4, 7-6 (6). Albot, ranked a career-best No. 39, won his first ATP title earlier this season in Delray Beach. Cilic will fall outside of the Top 20 as a result of his first-round exit.

Radu Albot, of Moldova, reacts to winning his match against Marin Cilic, of Croatia, during first round play at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gary Landers) — © Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

AP Images.

5. Sloane Stephens fields questions during her media roundtable. The 2017 US Open is searching for her first victory of the North American hard-court season after suffering opening-round losses in Washington DC and Toronto. The eighth-seeded Stephens will face Yulia Putintseva in the second round on Wednesday.

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 12: Sloane Stephens fields questions from the media at the WTA All Access Hour during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 12, 2019 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) — © Getty Images

Getty Images.