Injury forces Philippoussis out of Davis Cup playoff
Tue 14 September, 2004 02:54
SYDNEY, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Mark Philippoussis has been forced out of Australia
's Davis Cup World Group playoff with Morocco next week because of a hip injury
.
Tennis Australia released a statement on Tuesday announcing that Philippoussis
had been replaced by Todd Reid for the September 24-26 tie at Perth.
Reid joins U.S. Open finalist Lleyton Hewitt plus doubles specialists Todd Wood
bridge and Wayne Arthurs in the four-man squad.
Australia's non-playing captain John Fitzgerald said Philippoussis was still su
ffering the effects of an injury he picked up during the U.S. Open and had been
rested as a precaution.
Hewitt, who rose to third in the world rankings after reaching the final at Flu
shing Meadows, will fill one of the two singles roles against Morocco with Reid
and Arthurs vying for the second spot.
At world number 84, Arthurs is ranked 23 places higher than Reid but Fitzgerald
said he was still considering playing the latter, regarded as one of Australia
's brightest young prospects after winning the Wimbledon junior title two years
ago.
"Mark's injury presents a great opportunity for Todd Reid to step up as a full
member of the Davis Cup team," Fitzgerald said.
"We hope this will also be the beginning of another great Australian Davis Cup
career."
Australia won the Davis Cup in 2003 but were condemned to the World Group playo
ffs after losing their first round tie with Sweden this year.
The winner of the tie with Morocco will remain in the elite World Group for 200
5 while the loser will be relegated to the second tier.
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