American 15th seed Sam Querrey made a strong start to the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati Monday, dismissing young #NextGenATP countryman Stefan Kozlov 6-3, 6-0 to breeze into the second round.
The recent Wimbledon semi-finalist dropped just four points on his first serve and didn't face a break point. He advances to play the winner of Montreal semi-finalist Robin Haase and Montreal quarter-finalist Adrian Mannarino.
Wild cards Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul and qualifier Mitchell Krueger were three other Americans to advance in early play Monday.
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Tiafoe didn't face a break point in his 6-3, 7-6(2) win over German qualifier Maximilian Marterer. Currently ninth in the Emirates ATP Race To Milan (the top seven will qualify for the 21-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals), Tiafoe next meets fourth seed Alexander Zverev, fresh off his second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title of the year in Montreal.
Fellow #NextGenATP American Paul downed countryman Donald Young 6-4, 7-6(4) to set a second-round clash with No. 14 seed John Isner. Qualifier Krueger took down Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-1. The 23 year old will next face either 10th seed Tomas Berdych or former No. 4 in the Emirates ATP Rankings Juan Martin del Potro.
Italian shotmaker Fabio Fognini converted four of 20 break point chances earned against Daniil Medvedev to beat the #NextGenATP Russian 7-6(5), 6-4. He will next play third seed Dominic Thiem.
Fellow veteran Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, prevailed over #NextGenATP South Korean Hyeon Chung. Lopez sent down 14 aces and dropped just five points on his first serve in the 7-6(5), 6-1 result. He will take on No. 7 seed Grigor Dimitrov next.
