ABC News

16^th March, 2000

Mark Philippoussis had to make do without his booming serve, but made the most of the rest of his game to beat Sjeng Schalken in the quarter-finals of the Tennis Masters Series in Indian Wells, California.

"That's what I hope people are starting to understand: my serve is part of my game but it's not the only thing I have," said defending champion Philippoussis, who fired just eight aces in the 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 victory.

"I'm happy that I'm getting through these matches in straight sets without the big serve," he said.

"When the serve is on, obviously I feel very dangerous. But I've worked hard on my game to feel comfortable that even if my serve isn't there, I can back myself up."

In the semi-finals, Philippoussis will face either second seed Pete Sampras or number 10 Thomas Enqvist of Sweden.

Philippoussis, who has won a career-best 11 straight matches and has already successfully defended his other 1999 title at San Jose was not intimidated by the thought of taking on 12-time Grand Slam champion Sampras.

"I have a lot of respect for Pete," he said. "But when I'm on the court, like anyone I'm there to win and do what I can do to win.
"I'm not thinking about what he's done in the past, how great a career he's had. He's another player ahead of me, and I've got to try to get through that."

Unseeded Spaniard Alex Corretja, who stopped Philippoussis' compatriot Pat Rafter in the second round, continued his return to the form that saw him rise to number three in the world in 1998 with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over sixth seed Magnus Norman of Sweden.

Norman could have taken over the lead in the new ATP champions points race by reaching the final.

Instead Norman's exit left Nicolas Lapentti as the only seed in the top half of the upset-strewn draw.

The Ecuadoran eighth seed, stopped in the quarter-finals three times this year, finally earned a semi-final berth with a quick victory over Hicham Arazi.

Lapentti cruised past Arazi -- who upset Andre Agassi in the first round -- 6-2, 6-0.

In the only women's match of the day top seed Martina Hingis advanced to the final, rallying from 4-1 down in the opening set to beat fifth-seeded Frenchwoman Mary Pierce 6-4, 6-2.

16^th March, 2000


Indian Wells, California, March 17 A- Mark Philippoussis had to make do without his booming serve, but made the most of the rest of his game to beat Sjeng Schalken in the quarter-finals of the Tennis Masters Series here today.

"That's what I hope people are starting to understand: my serve is part of my game but it's not the only thing I have," said defending champion Philippoussis, who fired just eight aces in the 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 victory.

"I'm happy that I'm getting through these matches in straight sets without the big serve," he said.

"When the serve is on, obviously I feel very dangerous. But I've worked hard on my game to feel comfortable that even if my servve isn't there, I can back myself up.

"
In the semi-finals, Philippoussis will face either second seed Pete Sampras or number 10 Thomas Enqvist of Sweden.

Philippoussis, who has won a career-best 11 straight matches and has already successfully defended his other 1999 title at San Jose was not intimidated by the thought of taking on 12-time Grand Slam champion Sampras.

"I have a lot of respect for Pete," he said. "But when I'm on the court, like anyone I'm there to win and do what I can do to win. I'm not thinking about what he's done in the past, how great a career he's had. He's another player ahead of me, and I've got to try to get through that."

Unseeded Spaniard Alex Corretja, who stopped Philippoussis' compatriot Pat Rafter in the second round, continued his return to the form that saw him rise to number three in the world in 1998 with a 4-6 6-2 6-2 victory over sixth seed Magnus Norman of Sweden.

Norman could have taken over the lead in the new ATP champions points race by reaching the final.

Instead Norman's exit left Nicolas Lapentti as the only seed in the top half of the upset-strewn draw.

The Ecuadoran eighth seed, stopped in the quarter-finals three times this year, finally earned a semi-final berth with a quick victory over Hicham Arazi.

Lapentti cruised past Arazi -- who upset Andre Agassi in the first round -- 6-2 6-0.

It was a marked contrast to Lapentti's 2hr 44min baseline battle with France's Nicolas Escude on Thursday.

In the only women's match of the day top seed Martina Hingis advanced to the final, rallying from 4-1 down in the opening set to beat fifth-seeded Frenchwoman Mary Pierce 6-4, 6-2.