Roddick fires record-breaking serve on his way to victory

LONDON: Andy Roddick smashed his way into the semi-finals of the Stella Artois championships yesterday, destroying Paradorn Srichaphan and cracking down the world's fastest serve along the way. 

His record-breaking 153 miles per hour (246.2km/h) piledriver – one mile an hour quicker than his previous best – came at the beginning of the second set as he walloped the Thai 6-3, 6-3. 

“It was against the wind so I am pretty surprised,” Roddick smiled. “I didn't think I had that in me. 

“I didn't realise I had done it until the crowd started cheering and Paradorn smiled too.” 

Andy Roddick

Tournament officials were still to ratify the record struck at 1-0, 15-0 in the second set. 

Standing between Roddick and the defence of his title, however, is Lleyton Hewitt and the Australian extended his phenomenal Queen's Club record earlier in the day. 

Seeded sixth this year, the three-times champion beat in-form Russian Igor Andreev 6-3, 7-5 for a place in the last four. 

Hewitt, who has now lost just one match since 1999 on the west London grass courts, battled past the in-form Russian in 79 minutes. 

“He goes for his shots and is playing really well,” Hewitt said. “I am pleased to get a shot at another Stella final. 

“It doesn't get any easier, though... although I am winning and feeling like I am getting better and better each match. 

“It hasn't been long since I was in the quarter-finals of the French (last week) so I am adapting to grass pretty quickly... I am pleased. 

HALLE (Germany):

World number one and defending champion Roger Federer advanced comfortably to the semi-finals of the Halle Open yesterday, defeating France's Arnaud Clement 6-3, 7-5. 

The 22-year-old Swiss top seed will play number three seed Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic in today's semi-final of the pre-Wimbledon grasscourt event. 

Sixth-seeded American Mardy Fish also eased into the semi-finals yesterday with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Spain's Fernando Verdasco. 

Fish, ranked 23 in the world and the US number three after Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, will face number two seed Rainer Schuettler of Germany, who defeated compatriot and last year's losing finalist Nicolas Kiefer 6-3, 7-6. – Agencies