LONDON (AFP) - Andy Roddick broke his own world record of 150 mph after hitting a record 152 mph (244.6 kph) serve on the final point of his straight sets victory over Jonas Bjorkman, which gave the Americans an insurmountable 3-1 edge in their Davis Cup duel against Sweden.
He delivered the knock-out blow for the United States in the best of five series and sent themselves into Davis Cup semi-final against newcomer Belarus, while France and Spain set up a meeting between past champions.
Mardy Fish made the final score 4-1 by beating former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson in a no bearing final fifth match 3-6 6-1 6-4.
Earlier this year against Austria, also in Davis Cup, Roddick fired 150 mph 3 times to break his then world record of 148 mph which he shares with Greg Rusedsly of the UK.
Roddick rallied in a gruelling first set, then wore down a weary Bjorkman to win, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 6-0.
"You know, the other night when I was cranking them (serves) out there, and they were coming up large, I felt I had it in me," Roddick said. "For most of the day I didn't get a chance because my speed stuff was a lot more effective than my big serves. But then I felt I'd take a crack at it the last game."
Astonishingly, Bjorkman returned the serve but later in the rally netted a backhand to end the match.
France advanced 3-2 over the world no. 1 Federer-led Switzerland.
Spain banked on Carlos Moya and Juan Carlos Ferrero to route the Netherlands 4-1.
Belarus meanwhile masterfully swept Argentina 5-0 after the wins of Max Mirnyi and Vladimir Voltchkov.
Over at the Asia-Pacific division, the Philippines likewise easily swept past Hong Kong.
The United States host Belarus and France travels to Spain in the Sept. 24-26 semi-finals.
France has won the Davis Cup 9 times, most recently in 2001, while Spain was 2000 champion and 2003 runner-up.
The United States has won a record 31 Davis Cups but none since 1995.
-- April 12, 2004