Roddick seals Davis Cup win

Roddick fought back from a set down

Andy Roddick defeated Leander Paes in the first of the reverse singles to give the United States victory over India in the Davis Cup.

The 19-year-old won 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5 to give the US an unbeatable 3-1 lead.

The result ensures America remain in the World Group for the 2002 international team tennis competition.

After clinching victory, Roddick ran to the sidelines to celebrate with his team-mates and grabbed an American flag for a victory lap around the court.

"They were feeling it, I was feeling it, it was awesome," said teenager. "I've seen Americans do that for years at sporting events that I was watching on TV."

In the final rubber, James Blake beat Harsh Mankad 6-3 6-0 to complete the victory.

Roddick, who reached the US Open quarter-finals last month, defeated India's Harsh Mankad 6-3 6-4 6-1 in Friday's opening singles match.

Blake followed with a 7-5 6-3 6-3 triumph over Paes to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.

But Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi won Saturday's doubles match to sustain India's hopes.

The tie was postponed for three weeks in the wake of terrorist attacks upon New York and Washington.

The US team, still seeking a 32nd Davis Cup title after a six-year drought, have beaten India in each of their seven meetings in Davis Cup play.

America was forced into the qualifying tie after losing to Switzerland in a first-round earlier this year.