Querrey edges Johnson

Atlanta - Israel's Dudi Sela and American Sam Querrey advanced to the second round of the ATP Atlanta Open with victories on Monday while French third seed Gael Monfils withdrew from the event.

Sela ousted American Donald Young 6-3, 6-0 while Querrey blasted 20 aces in eliminating countryman Steve Johnson 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 in the $568 000 hardcourt event, an early warm-up tournament for the US Open.

Querrey, who won in 92 minutes after taking the only break of the match in the final game, and Sela will meet in the second round with the winner in line to face Canadian fourth seed Vasek Pospisil in the quarter-finals.

Monfils, who has been nagged by a right knee injury, was replaced in the draw by New Zealand qualifier Michael Venus.

Venus, ranked 349th in the world, enjoys a first-round bye in quest of the $103 000 top prize. He will face either American Jack Sock or Colombia's Alejandro Gonzalez in the second round.

US top seed John Isner and South African second seed Kevin Anderson, two of the tour's tallest players, met in last year's final with Isner taking the title after two prior Atlanta runner-up finishes.