Daily Telegraph

By John Thirsk

2 March 2001

COACH Wally Masur is not counting on a rejuvenated Mark Philippoussis playing Davis Cup against Brazil until he comes through his next three comeback events without further problems to his injured knee.

"There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before we go down to Brazil in April and I just want Mark to come through unscathed," Masur said yesterday.

"Mark needs to get matches under his belt so he can gain confidence and return to his winning ways."

Philippoussis won in Memphis last weekend, his first event since reaching the Paris Indoor final on November 13 against Marat Safin.

Yesterday Philippoussis squeaked past Germany's Marcus Hantschk 6-3 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 in the Sybase Open in San Jose.

Masur and Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald may also not be happy with the signals Scud is sending out regarding his Davis Cup commitments.

"You play five tough weeks and then when it's time to recover (from the tournaments), that's when they put on Davis Cup," Philippoussis said.

"So, it's going to be tough."

Representing Australia is among the top priorities for Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt andthe question begs to be answered: why then is it not so for Philippoussis.?

Before winning in Memphis, Philipoussis said: "I'm just concentrating on getting back physically, getting back healthy and being excited about this first tournament.

"I'm looking at finishing well in the top 10 this year - that is going to be my goal."

Philippoussis missed the Australian summer circuit following knee surgery in November.

"It's a positive start for Mark in winning Memphis but it's also his first tournament in three months and we can't get ahead of ourselves regarding Davis Cup," Masur added.

"I wouldn't count him in, right now, but I'll be talking to him in San Jose and we'll see how he feels after two events.

"He was scheduled to play four events and a lot can happen and with Mark he has his priorities and that is to play well in the individual tournaments."