November 17, 2000

Australian serving machine Mark Philippoussis thanked new coach Peter McNamara today after reaching the semi-finals of the Paris Masters Series tennis tournament for the first time.

The big-hitting Australian downed German qualifier David Prinosil 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in 1hr48min to set up a mouthwatering semi-final against Brazilian top seed Gustavo Kuerten.

Philippoussis has been steadily on the rise in recent weeks since last month coming under the wing of fellow Australian McNamara, whom he says is turning him into a more complete player.

McNamara could find himself double-booked this weekend.

He was due to play John McEnroe at a seniors event in Frankfurt but Philippoussis joked: ''He knows I'm here for the weekend. He'll go anyway. I think his back is starting to hurt right now.''

On McNamara's influence he explained: ''He's known me since I was 12 years old. We're concentrating on going back to the roots, doing what I did when I was younger, enjoying my tennis, just playing my game.

''It's very relaxing. You know we have a good chemistry. I'm just trying to use my power to become more of a complete player and learn how to use it.''

Since hooking up with McNamara, Philippoussis has reached the final in Hong Kong, losing to Germany's Nicolas Kiefer.

In Paris, despite playing with a strapped knee as ''a precaution'', he has looked in good shape and saw off former world No.1 and fourth seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the third round.

The 24-year-old from Melbourne has not let the fallout from his disagreement with the Davis Cup team distract him from the big picture, which involves breaking into the top 10 in the world as well as homing in on a ninth career title.

His last win was at the Sybase Open in San Jose in February.

Freed from the distraction of preparing for the Aussies' Davis Cup final showdown with Spain in Barcelona from December 8 to 10, he is quietly moving through the draw.

If he can catch Kuerten on an off day, a second Masters Series title after Indian Wells last year beckons.

That would propel him into the top 10 on the ATP Champions Race - and put him in line as an alternate for the season-ending Masters Cup in Lisbon from November 28 should either compatriot Lleyton Hewitt or Andre Agassi pull out with fitness problems.

On facing Kuerten, Philippoussis said he knew the match would stretch him to the limit.

''He's a very clean hitter of the ball and playing with a lot of confidence,'' he said.