One To Watch: Mark Philippoussis
Thursday, June 26, 2003
He's unseeded, he managed just 14 tournaments last year and he
has the wonkiest, most scar-lined left knee on the ATP tour. But
few players inspire as much fear when the Wimbledon draw is
released each year than Australia's Mark Philippoussis.
"The Scud", as the tabloids have long dubbed the 26-year-old, is
such a dangerous proposition on a grasscourt that no one likes to
be drawn to play him. He has reached the quarter-finals of The
Championships three times, made the fourth round last year and
took the title at the Queen's Club in west London in 1997.
Such is his skill when he gets near a manicured lawn that the
last three players to defeat him at SW19 have been former champions
- Richard Krajicek, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.
Of that trio only Agassi, his long-time bete noir on court, is
in this year's field, which is why many observers regard
Philippoussis as the most dangerous floater in the tournament.
His huge serve and heavy groundstrokes on both flanks mean that
when he is really on form he is almost impossible to beat on
grass, as Sampras was finding during their 1999 quarter-final.
But after taking the first set that day, Philippoussis' left knee
gave way during a rally - just one of many times that part of
his body has let him down - and he eventually had to default.
His other weakness is his consistency - Philippoussis is known
for switching coaches and form repeatedly. His last tutor,
Peter McNamara, was pushed aside earlier this year in favour
of Mark's father Nick. This move was apparently prompted by a
desire to unleash more of his exceptional power during matches.
The jury remains out on whether the change has been a smart one.
But the Australian has the advantage of being used to performing
on big stages, having reached the 1998 US Open final and
spearheaded his country's away win against France in the 1999
final of the Davis Cup.
His opponent today, Cyril Saulnier of France, is one of the
journeymen of the tour whose ranking has never been higher
than 111 (Philippoussis peaked at No. 8 in 1999 before his
knee problems set in). But he easily dispatched last year's
semi-finalist Xavier Malisse in their first-round encounter.
It could be a danger match for Philippoussis, but it ought
not to be - knee willing.
Written by Darrin Farrant
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