Winston-Salem, North Carolina - A confident Andy Roddick rained down 29 aces to give the defending champion US a 1-0 lead over France in the Davis Cup World Group quarter-finals in a masterful display on Friday.

The number six Roddick put the hosts into command 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5) in just over two hours at the stadium where he led a victory over Spain at the same stage a year ago in the worldwide competition.

Llodra, substituting on a French team hit by the injury defections of Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet, put in his best effort - 25 aces - but it was not enough against the inspired local.

Washington - Developing countries on Friday expressed concern that the financial turmoil engulfing advanced economies may yet spill over into poorer nations, and called for a boost in aid to help a

Washington - Two people died in the US state of O

Washington - Finance

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