DAVIS CUP Roddick seals U.S. victory

The Americans took an insurmountable 3-1 lead.
DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Andy Roddick took the court with a lead, and the U.S. Davis Cup team departed with a win.
Swatting a record 152 mph serve on the final point, Roddick beat Jonas Bjorkman to clinch a U.S. victory over Sweden in the Davis Cup quarterfinals Sunday.
Roddick won 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-0, giving the Americans an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five match.
Roddick swept six sets against the Swedes and improved to 4-0 when in a position to clinch a Davis Cup victory for his team.
"He has the ability to raise his level," U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe said. "All the great players have had that."
Eyeing title
The Americans need to win two more rounds for their first title since 1995. They'll next play at a home site to be determined Sept. 24-26 against first-time semifinalist Belarus, which swept Argentina 5-0 in Minsk.
"It's a chance to take this dream one step further," Roddick said. "We feel our chemistry just goes stronger and stronger. We feel like we have a great group."
Mardy Fish made the final score 4-1 by beating Thomas Johansson 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Bob and Mike Bryan gave the Americans a 2-1 lead Saturday in their doubles victory.
Roddick went for the knockout on match point, when his serve broke the record of 150 mph he set in a Davis Cup match in February.
"I knew I had it in my arm," he said. "I thought I'd take a crack at it that last game."
One hitch: Bjorkman somehow managed to get his return in play.
"It wasn't too hard -- you just have to put the racket there," the Swede said with a smile.
Celebration began
When the rally ended with Bjorkman hitting a backhand into the net, the U.S. celebration began. Roddick flung his racket to the fans, climbed into the stands in search of his teammates and discovered they were on the court. He joined them there and led the victory lap, whooping and wagging his tongue along the way.
What went through his mind?
"Nothing," Roddick said. "It's just a bunch of chaos going on between my ears for a little while."
It was the second Sunday celebration in a row for Roddick, who won his first Key Biscayne title a week earlier.
"I've had a pretty intense couple of weekends," Roddick said. He'll begin his clay-court season this week at Houston.
Too strong
In humid, 85-degree weather, Roddick was too strong for the 32-year-old Bjorkman, who played 10 sets in three days. Roddick dominated with his serve, as usual, but also limited his unforced errors to 11 and moved well. During one exchange, he ran side to side chasing down four Bjorkman volleys.
"He showed that he's a gutsy player," Swedish captain Mats Wilander said.
The other Davis Cup semifinal will be between Spain and France. Spain beat the Netherlands 4-1, and France defeated Switzerland 3-2.
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