HONG KONG (TICKER) -- Mark Philippoussis is making his point to fellow Australian Patrick Rafter on and off the court.
Philippoussis, who has had a strained relationship off the court with Rafter, defeated his fellow Australian for the first time today and advanced to the final of the $375,000 Salem Open hardcourt tennis event.
The fourth-seeded Philippoussis beat No. 7 Rafter, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4, for his first win in four meetings and will face third-seeded Nicolas Kiefer of Germany in Sunday's championship match.
"It feels good (beating Rafter for the first time)," said Philippoussis, who was facing his older compatriot for the first time since the 1998 U.S. Open final. "I have a lot of respect for him, especially as a player, and I knew I had to be on top of my game to beat him today or to have a chance of beating him."
Kiefer dispatched second seed Tim Henman of Britain, 6-4, 6-2, in today's first semifinal.
The rift between Philippoussis and Rafter has been centered around Philippoussis' participation in Davis Cup. Two years ago, Philippoussis was embroiled in a feud with Australian Davis Cup captain and team coach Tony Roche over his lack of desire to play Davis Cup.
This year, Rafter questioned Philippoussis' desire to represent their country after Philippoussis pulled out of the semifinals in July with an injury. However, the two men have been trying to work things out, with the help of Philippoussis' new coach Peter McNamara.
"While we were in the locker room (before the match), we were talking all the time," said Rafter, who had reached the final here in 1994 and 1997. "It's a good atmosphere when we're around each other, there is no negative energy or no bad vibes."
"I think Peter McNamara is also trying to help us sort it out. Mac is also a very good influence, and he's just trying to help and bridge the differences we have. From what's been said this year, he said the same thing, the damage has been done but he's willing to see what happens for next year."
McNamara also is working wonders for Philippoussis' game. The 23-year-old from Melbourne has won four matches in a row for the first time since reaching the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in July. He will try to win his second title of the season on Sunday and the ninth of his career.
"I've worked with (Peter McNamara) before," Philippoussis said. "He's known me since I was 12 years old. He has always been positive with me, he's known me as a person as well as a player, and he makes me work hard. That is what I need. I've felt like I've been too lazy, I've sort of let my talent keep me in there, in the top 20, and I've been happy just staying in the top 20, but I've sort of had enough of that."
Kiefer needed 90 minutes to even his all-time record against Henman to 2-2. He has not dropped a set this week.
"Every match it looked like I won 6-2, 6-4 and 6-3, 6-2 and today 6-4, 6-2 again. It looks easy, but it isn't easy. You have to focus on every shot and concentrate the whole time," Kiefer said.
After winning the Dubai Open in February, Kiefer was hampered by an ankle injury before bouncing back with a successful run in the summer hardcourt season. The German reached the U.S. Open quarterfinals before losing to eventual winner Marat Safin.
Kiefer is 1-2 lifetime against Philippoussis but he won the last meeting -- the final of the 1997 Toulouse Grand Prix.