Mark Philippoussis is making a habit of reaching deep within to pull Australia out of the Davis Cup fire. Just as the gallant tight hander memorably carried Australia to ultimate victory in Nice last year, it was Philippoussis who fought out the fifth and deciding tubber in the First Round Tie against Switzerland in early February 2000.

For the first time since 1985 (against Paraguay), Australia recovered from a 1-2 deficit as it entered the third day, having suffered a surprise loss in the doubles.

But with a packed home court behind them, the Swiss could not close out the Tie and eliminate Australia, just as last years runner-up France lost its first round contest in Brazil.

Day One started brightly for the visitors, as Lleyton Hewitt continued his Davis Cup fairytale with a convincing dismissal of George Bastl.

Hewitt dropped the first set, but took his record to 5-2 in live rubbers by clinching the next three sets against the little-known Swiss, who closed 1999 ranked 92nd in the world.

It was then that the Tie took an unexpected twist Roger Federer, a promising 18 year old who climbed more than 200 places in ATP rankings in the previous 12 months, stunned Philippoussis in four sets. It was not so much the result as

the poise that the teenager showed, having been hardened in Davis Cup play in 1999 and slowly emerging on the ATP Tour.

That left the Tie and 1-1, underlining the importance of the doubles, a contest that matched two teams each of which had never combined before.

Australia went in with Sandon Stolle and Wayne Arthurs; Switzerland countered with Federer and Lorenzo Manta.

Stolle and Arthurs dominated the early play, losing just five points on serve by midway through the second set. Hence the surprise that followed: Manta arguably played above himself from that point, and Federer continued to shine in the national spotlight. All the while the Australian duo struggled to impact on the Swiss serve, and they failed to win another set.

"He played to his maximum and I expected him to go off the boil, hut it was just his day and whatever he tried to do came off," non-playing Australian captain John Newcombe said of Manta.

"Federer hit three straight points in the tiebreak that cracked it open and that was crucial and a killing blow. Manta though was the snag, he played too well."

Thus, consider the pressure on Hewitt and Federer, pitted against each other for Match 4; two 18 year olds with their country's hopes on their young shoulders.

It was not so much that Federer cracked, rather that Hewitt who brandishes the more polished professional record displayed the talent and control of a veteran. But for consecutive double faults that effectively cost him the second set, the South Australian played clutch tennis to win his 15th match in 16 outings for 2000.

When Federer douhle-faulted to drop serve in the fourth set, Hewitt pounced, not allowing his opponent back into the match and taking advantage of Federer's heavier work1oad over the weekend.

"This was a new experience for me, to come back from being out in the tie, but then being 18, I'm going to have a lot of new experiences," Hewitt said.

"I've got no doubt that it is the biggest match I have won. To win for your country and to win for Newk (John Newcombe) and Rochey (Tony Roche) in their last year as captain and coach."

So it all came down to Bastl v Philippoussis. (On paper, a mismatch, but Bastl fast proved himself up to the challenge, just as he had pushed Hexitt on the opening day. Recovering from being an early break down he took the first set off Philippoussis and held a break point to go 2-0 up in the second.

"Scud", however, was not about to relinquish his grip on the Davis Cup just yet. He broke in the ninth game of the set and served two aces en route to squaring the match at a set apiece.

Bastl again pressured the Australian, moving out to a 4-1 edge in the third and closing out the set, placing the visitors on the precipice. Philippoussis responded by taking the fourth set, pushing Bastl into uncharted territory his first Davis Cup five setter. He made an admirable fist of it, but the Philippoussis forehand found its range in the third game, forcing a break, and his serve withstood the pressure to ice the set 6 4 and the Tie, 3-2.

Afterwards, Philippoussis understandably praised his opponent: "I hung in - he was playing great tennis, but I waited for my opportunities? he said. "I was trying to get my momentum going and had to keep building on him. I knew what it was like to lose, I had lost on the first day and I didn't want to feel that again.'

Bastl put the result down to the experience of his opponent. "Philippoussis raised his level and played well in the end," the 24 year old said. "He has experience in such big matches and a bit of everything made the difference. We were in a good position to beat Australia."