Roddick Smacks Voltchkov With a Record 155mph Serve

Fireballing American Andy Roddick improved his service serve mark blasting a record 155 mph serve in a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, win over Vladimir Voltchkov Friday earning the United States a 1-0 early lead lead over Belarus in the Davis Cup semifinals World Group.

Roddick's record serve, which came in the final game of the match, bested his own mark of 153 mph set at the Queen's in England in June. Roddick is the only player to ever break the 150mph in pro tennis. Even with the record speed, Voltchkov managed to get his racket on the ball but was unable to return it.

Fans at the Family Circle Tennis Center stood and cheered when the record speed of the serve was shown.

"I hit a good one. That's about it," said Roddick, who enjoyed 17 aces in the match. "I think it's fun for the fans. To me it's still a point. It's something I'll be able to tell people about one day. But I'm happier with the win -- serving well overall."

Of note, the radar gun used at the Davis Cup this week is not the same gun used during the regular season of the ATP tour and at Grand Slams.

Olympic silver medalist Mardy Fish was to face Max Mirnyi in the second singles match on Friday.

In the other Davis Cup semifinal, France led Spain 1-0 behind Paul-Henri Mathieu upset win over Carlos Moya 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. In the second rubber, Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero was leading Fabrice Santoro 6-3, 6-1, 1-6 when play was stopped because of darkness.