Philippoussis wins in latest comeback
Philippoussis wins in latest comebackEmail Print Normal font Large font January 3, 2006 - 5:05PM
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AdvertisementA defiant Mark Philippoussis maintained his best tennis was still to come after taking the first significant step in his latest comeback attempt with an opening round win at the Adelaide International.
Philippoussis, currently ranked 171st in the world, opened his 2006 campaign with a 6-4 3-6 6-4 victory over plucky American Vince Spadea.
The Victorian started and finished well to make the best of his wildcard, the first of three he will use this summer to play in Adelaide, Auckland and the Australian Open in Melbourne.
It was Philippoussis' first singles match at Memorial Drive since his fateful Davis Cup defeats against Sweden in early 2004, losses that started a career-cruelling 18-month slide.
"It's good to get out on court and get that monkey, that turned into a gorilla, off my shoulders," the 29-year-old said.
"I've been working hard in Miami for the past two and a half months to build up to this summer.
"I know I still have my best tennis yet to play."
As always with Philippoussis, there were a few wild swings and roundabouts, and Spadea, ranked No.75 in the world, thrice broke the Australian's serve during a loose second set.
But in the main there were enough signs, most notably his mobility and fitness, to suggest Philippoussis may be a danger over the remainder of the summer.
Perhaps more importantly, given the dearth of local talent beneath Lleyton Hewitt, he looked capable of taking his place in Australia's squad for the forthcoming Davis Cup tie against Roger Federer's Switzerland.
However, Philippoussis said he was not motivated by the thought that Australian tennis was stronger when he was doing well.
"I don't give that much thought, I've been through too many things myself to worry about others," he said.
"The only thing I'm thinking about is to wake up and commit myself to each day."
The win over Spadea put Philippoussis in line to face dogged Slovakian Dominik Hrbaty, who plays Australian qualifier Rameez Junaid, in round two. 唔錯,今場既對手絶非魚腩,不過下場對夏巴堤應該輸硬
btw,澳網佢實有外咭:icon122:
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