| WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- Andy Roddick's overwhelming power gave the United States the early jump on France in their Davis Cup quarterfinal series. SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS With his ferocious serve skidding off the fast indoor hard court, Roddick recorded 30 aces in a 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5) win Friday over Michael Llodra to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead. American James Blake was to play Paul-Henri Mathieu in the second singles match Friday in the best-of-five event. Llodra had 26 aces of his own in a powerful, if unexpected, matchup after Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga withdrew earlier this week with a right knee injury. With Richard Gasquet slowed by a blister on his right hand, French captain Guy Forget went with Llodra, who is also expected to play in Saturday's doubles. The strong left-hander was only broken once, but couldn't overcome Roddick's overwhelming serve. Roddick fended off his first three break points at 5-5 in the third set, closing out the game with consecutive aces. Fittingly, he converted his second match point in the third-set tiebreaker with a service winner. Roddick then belted a ball into the stands as U.S. teammates and his fiancee, model Brooklyn Decker, cheered him on. The Americans' first home Davis Cup competition since ending their 12-year title drought last year started with an elaborate celebration. Amid fireworks and a light show, each team member received a championship ring and raised the title banner before the first match. After it took four people to push the gigantic Davis Cup trophy off the court, you could hear the whirring sound from the ball as Llodra defensively tried to return Roddick's monster serves. But Llodra, who won hard-court events earlier this year in Adelaide and Rotterdam, is no slouch on fast surfaces. Llodra, ranked 41st in the world, caused Roddick problems with his serve, too. Roddick, ranked No. 6, got his first break in the ninth game of the first set, sending a blistering forehand at the net across the court. He immediately turned to the cheering crowd and waved his arms up and down. Roddick closed out the set in the next game, which included his eighth ace. Roddick fell behind 3-1 in the second-set tiebreaker, only to reel off six straight points, including a questionable overrule by the chair umpire that angered Llodra. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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