Wednesday, October 4, 2000
South China Morning Post

UNUS ALLADIN

Mark Philippoussis overcame the mid-afternoon heat
and Zimbabwe's Byron Black to storm into the second
round with a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4) victory on Centre
Court.

With on-court temperatures hovering over 30 degrees
Celsius, "Scud" was just glad to get his match over,
although he admitted it was a hard slog all the way.

"It was always going to be tough against Byron because
he's a tough player. Every match is tough. It's not easy,
especially against a guy like him.

"It was hot out there and conditions were tough. The
first match is never easy, but I'm glad I got that out of
the way," said the 23-year-old world number 14 from
Melbourne. Philippoussis is undergoing changes in his
game, saying he was going "back to basics" while trying
to enjoy the game with the same exuberance as when he
was a rising teenager.

"I felt I served better today than I can remember. But
Byron is a great counter-puncher and he's very quick.
He was tough, keeping the ball in play. He does
everything well," said the former US Open finalist. "I
had good rhythm out there and certainly that made it
easier. I'm feeling confident."

Philippoussis had no qualms about being first on court at
the hottest time of the day, saying it was all part of the
game.

"At two o'clock, of course it's going to be hot, but you
have to be prepared. As long as they didn't put me on at
10am, I'd be struggling. I should be awake by 2pm.
Like I said, it was hot out there and I won two tough
tiebreakers. You just knew you were in for a long
match," he said.

Philippoussis gradually wore down Black, the oldest
man in the field who turns 31 on Friday, as he got his
serves going to great affect.

There were no breaks of service in both sets, but
Philippoussis always got the better of his opponent,
ranked 32nd in the world, to celebrate his first victory
under his old coach, Peter McNamara.