Against Santoro, Roddick served 15 aces including one recorded at 140 miles per hour.

"I served real well tonight, and that's going to be key at this tournament," Roddick said.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska and residing now in Austin, Texas, Roddick joined the ATP Tour as a professional eight years ago in 2000. Only one year later in 2001, Roddick defeated two of his role models and fellow Americans: Michael Chang and Pete Sampras.

The powerful American reached the world number one ranking in 2003 and scored his lone grand slam win at the US Open that same year. At Wimbledon the next two years in 2004 and 2005, Roddick finished as finalist; losing each time to former world number one Roger Federer of Switzerland.

Roddick is an allcourt aggressive player whose weapons include an explosive forehand and the fastest serve ever in the game of tennis. The American's record-holding serve was clocked at 155 mph (249.4 km/h) in 2004.

In his career, Roddick has scored 25 singles titles including wins this year in San Jose, California and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Both the San Jose and Dubai tournaments are played on hardcourts similar to those of the US Open.