Tennis Australia – 04/11/99

Australia's Davis Cup Captain John Newcombe announced a seven-man Squad on Thursday for the eagerly anticipated Davis Cup Final against France next month (3-5 December).

Mark Philippoussis (ranked 22), Lleyton Hewitt (26), Richard Fromberg (81), Wayne Arthurs (88), Mark Woodforde (131 – doubles ranking: 9), Todd Woodbridge (161 – doubles ranking 7) and Sandon Stolle (369 – doubles ranking 8) comprise the Australian Squad that will participate in a training camp in San Remo, Italy (23-27 November) before arriving in Nice for the Final. James Sekulov has been named hitting partner.

MELBOURNE, Nov 4 AAP - In-form Australians Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis head a seven-man squad named today for the Davis Cup tennis final against France in Nice on December 3-5.

Their selection follows the pair's second round wins at the Paris Open indoor championship overnight when Adelaide teenager Hewitt again beat his recent Davis Cup victim Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Philippoussis downed eighth seed Richard Krajicek in straight sets.

Philippoussis returns to the Davis Cup team after missing the semi-final against Russia in Brisbane in September because of a knee injury.

Richard Fromberg, Wayne Arthurs, Mark Woodforde, Todd Woodbridge and Sandon Stolle were the other players named.

Australian No.1 Pat Rafter could not be considered as he is sidelined after undergoing shoulder surgery.

"These guys have dreamt of having their names engraved on that magnificent trophy and we're not prepared to let anything stand in our way," said team captain John Newcombe.