Philippoussis makes triumphant return from injury
Sports.com - SIMON CAMBERS
21 February 2001
Mark Philippoussiss made a successful return to tournament play after almost three months out through injury as he beat Juan Viloca in straight sets to reach round three of the Kroger St Jude Classic in Memphis.
The second-seeded Australian looked a little rusty but was still too strong for Viloca, winning 6-2, 7-5 to advance to the third round. But there was defeat for seventh seed Greg Rusedski, who went out to unknown Russian Dmitry Tursanov.
Philippoussis, who finished last year ranked 11 in the Champions Race, was making his first appearance of the year, but it didn't show as he beat Viloca 6-2, 7-5.
The first set was easy for the Australian, and though he tightened up a bit in the second, the result was never seriously in doubt.
Rusedski, though, was stunned by 18-year-old Russian qualifier Tursanov, going down 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, throwing away a 2-0 lead in the third thanks to three double faults.
Tursanov was playing only his second ATP match, but is now on a run of 17 straight victories, having won the Futures event in Holland, the Dallas Challenger and come through the qualifying rounds to make the main draw.
"I'm pretty excited," Tursanov said afterwards. "I hope I don't get too excited though - I have to play another match soon.
"I was taking the match to him," said Tursunov. "I had seen him play on television, but it's not the same as when you get out there. I wasn't too sure what to expect."
Tursanov now plays Switzerland's George Bastl for a place in the quarter-finals.
Fifth seed Jan-Michael Gambill earned his place in the next round with a 7-6, 6-3 defeat of Xavier Malisse, while American Chris Woodruff was also among the first-round winners on day two.
Woodruff beat Stephane Huet of France 6-1, 7-6 to set up a clash with top seed Pete Sampras.
Paul Goldstein, seeded 14, reached round three, while Vince Spadea and Andy Roddick all progressed to the second round.
On the mark - Philippoussis cruises in straight sets; Rusedski ousted
PHILIPPOUSSIS BACK ON TRACK
BBC Sport
21 February 2001
Mark Philippoussis is back after surgery Australia's Mark Philippoussis made a triumphant return from knee surgery on Tuesday, defeating Spanish qualifier Juan Albert Viloca in the second round of the St. Jude Classic.
The hard-serving second seed claimed a 6-2, 7-5 win, after a first-round bye in the US$800,000 event, the first US tournament of the season.
"The knee is feeling good," Philippoussisis said. "I'm ready to play. This is a good tournament. I've played some good tennis here."
Also advancing to the third round was Italy's Davide Sanguinetti, who defeated Germany's Markus Hantschk 6-4, 6-4.
The day's thriller went to Russia's Mikhail Youzhny, who beat Italy's Andrea Gaudenzi 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5).
Wednesday marks the first match for top seed Pete Sampras, sixth seed Michael Chang and third seed Tommy Haas of Germany.
Sampras will open against fellow American Chris Woodruff, who beat France's Stephane Huet 6-1, 7-6 (7/1).
Should he win, Sampras could face a third-round clash with three-time Wimbledon finalist Goran Ivanisevic, provided the Croatian gets past Michel Kratochvil of Switzerland.
PHILIPPOUSSIS TRIUMPHANT IN RETURN TO COURT
From ESPN
Associated Press
21 February 2001
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- No. 2-seeded Mark Philippoussis, playing his first match since knee surgery in December, beat Juan Albert Viloca 6-2, 7-5Tuesday night in the Kroger St. Jude tennis tournament.
There were two upsets on the day. Dmitry Tursunov defeated No. 7 Greg Rusedski 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-3, and will face George Bastl, who beat 10th-seeded Wayne Arthurs 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2).
In a late match Tuesday, fifth-seeded Jan-Michael Gambill beat Xavier Malisse 7-6 (2), 6-3 in the second round.
Top-seeded Pete Sampras, who won here in 1996, opens Wednesday, against Chris Woodruff, who beat Stephane Huet 6-1, 7-6 (1) Tuesday.
Philippoussis, the 1998 champion, said the left knee did well in his first match since arthroscopic surgery Dec. 28 for a partially torn cartilage. "The knee is good," Philippoussis said. "It held up fine. I was a little nervous at first with this being my first match back. The first one is always going to be the toughest."
Scud Fires into Round Three
ATP memphis site
19 February 2001
Second seed Mark Philippoussis made a successful return to ATP action with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Spain's Juan Albert Viloca in the second round of the Kroger/St. Jude in Memphis.
The 24-year-old Australian, who won the title at the Racquet Club of Memphis in 1998, is playing in his first tournament since undergoing knee surgery on December 28 last year.
"It feels great," said Philippoussis. "When you've had a surgery and you're out for that long, you realize that tennis is your life and it's what you love doing. When you hear the crowd, that's what you miss.
Nicknamed "Scud" for his missile service deliveries, Philippoussis fired 16 aces in the 1-hour, 13-minute match to advance to the third round, where he will meet either Mardy Fish or Magnus Gustafsson for a place in the quarterfinals.
Philippoussis reeled off four consecutive games from 2-2 to take the first set, and despite going a break down in the second, hit back to win five of the last six games to seal the victory.
"The first match back is always going to be tough, but I'm happy to make it through," said the Australian, whose last match was in the final of the Tennis Masters Series Paris where he lost to Marat Safin in a fifth-set tie-break.
Philippoussis now has an 11-3 record in Memphis, and it's a place that always brings out the best in him. "I like coming here," said the Aussie, who also reached the semifinals in 1996. "It's very intimate with the crowd being so close to the court, and they always support me well here."
Despite being out of the game for two months, Philippoussis believes he can go all the way this week, saying: "I'm not the sort of player who needs games to get into the rhythm - I came here to win the tournament."