Johns Creek, Georgia (SportsNetwork.com) - Sam Querrey posted a first-round victory Monday at the Atlanta Open tennis event.
The ninth seed launched 20 aces in getting past two-time NCAA singles champion and fellow American Steve Johnson, 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, in 1 hour, 32 minutes on the hardcourts at Atlantic Station. Querrey got the only break of the match in the final game.
Querrey will next face Israeli Dudi Sela, who routed Atlanta native Donald Young by a 6-3, 6-0 count in Monday's other opening-round bout.
This week's top seed is 6-foot-10 American, reigning champion and two-time runner-up John Isner, who beat 6-foot-8 South African Kevin Anderson in last year's all-tall finale in Atlanta.
The 2014 Atlanta champ will claim $103,000.
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