AP, Atlanta :
Sam Querrey beat fellow-American Steve Johnson 7-6 (3), 7-5 to open the Atlanta Open on Monday.
Donald Young lost in straight sets to Israel’s Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-0.
Querrey, ranked No. 61, is the second-highest ranked American, ahead of Johnson (64). He and Johnson, who both grew up in Los Angeles, will team up in doubles to play Denis Istomin and Marinko Matosevic.
The top five-ranked American men are in the Atlanta field.
Defending champion John Isner (ranked No. 12 in the world) had a bye Monday as the No. 1 seed. The No. 3 seeded Gael Monfils, withdrew Sunday, citing a knee injury. Fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet also was a late withdrawal. Ttournament director Eddie Gonzalez was critical of Monfils and Gasquet for withdrawing so late.
