Roddick beats Johansson for 1-0 U.S lead over Sweden

GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Sep 21 (Reuters) Andy Roddick did just enough to beat Joachim Johansson 7-6 7-6 6-3 to give the United States a 1-0 lead over Sweden in their Davis Cup semi-final today.

In a battle of giant servers, with neither player broken in the first two sets, Roddick made the most of the decisive moments.

Leading 4-3 in the third set, the American earned a break point thanks to a poor smash that Johansson sent wide, followed by a missed forehand by the Swede that handed Roddick the break. Roddick then served out to clinch the match.

''I had a little advantage in the tie-breaks,'' said Roddick, who took his second win in three meetings with Johansson.

In the first set tie-break, Roddick got a 2-0 mini-break thanks to a netted backhand by Johansson, then held his serve before another mistake on the backhand by Johansson handed him the tie-break 7-4.

In the following set's tie-break Johansson hit a forehand wide to give Roddick a 5-3 lead. Roddick broke the Swede again to 6-3 with a forehand passing shot and closed with an ace.

Thomas Johansson and James Blake face each other in the next singles match.

REUTERS PDS BD2136