Roddick rockets into second round

Defending champion Andy Roddick powered down the fastest serve in US Open history – 152 miles per hour – as he cruised past 17-year-old Scoville Jenkins 6-0 6-2 6-2.

After breaking the American youngster in the opening game, Roddick broke the Open record with a 148mph serve only to surpass it with the history-making 152mph rocket on the next point.

“I just wanted to welcome him to the court,” joked Roddick, who closed the match with his 12th ace. “I knew he was a little bit nervous so I thought I would go at him early on.”

Britian's Greg Rusedski held the previous record at 143mph – a speed he reached in 1997 and 1999.

Roddick just missed equalling his world record of 153mph, set in the Stella Artois championships in June on grass in London.

“I’ve never seen a serve like that before,” Jenkins said. “I was very nervous coming out there, especially in the beginning.”

Earlier, Olympic champion Nicolas Massu, the 14th seed, cruised into the second round with a 6-4 6-0 6-2 triumph over Argentinian Jose Acasuso.

Massu faces Sargis Sargsian in the second round after the Armenian posted a four-set victory over Spaniard Alex Corretja on Monday.

Germany’s 11th seed Rainer Schuettler blew a two-set lead and crashed out 3-6 4-6 7-6 (7/5) 7-6 (7/1) 6-1 to Andreas Seppi of Italy.

And 13th seed Marat Safin – the 2000 US Open champion – suffered a 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 3-6 6-3 loss to Sweden’s Thomas Enqvist.

The Russian turned in a lacklustre effort that had the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd booing him.