Mark Philippoussis captured his ninth ATP tour title in Memphis, but can the Australian serving sensation win a Grand Slam? Sportal assesses his chances.

Mark Philippoussis has returned from injury to win his ninth career singles title, but the question is can he turn ATP tour event triumphs into a Grand Slam win?

Known as the Scud, because of his missile-like service, his left knee took the strain at Memphis where he beat Davide Sanguinetti in the final 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-3.

Relieved to be back on the glory trail, the determined Australian said: "It's a great way to begin the year, and for my confidence and for my knee. I worked really hard for it and it's nice to see it pay off. This week couldn't have gone better. It's been very positive."

Philippoussis’ injury raised eyebrows amongst his detractors who wondered at the legitimacy of his troubles. However, the problem proved more serious than once feared and kept him out for the whole Australian summer with torn cartilage being the main trouble.

He said: "It has been a little frustrating when people have doubted me. Now I hope they realise that everything was legitimate. There was never a time where I complained and there was nothing there. It has been there for the past 18 months. Thank God now we have located it and taken care of it."

The 24-year-old from Melbourne has seen injury halt his progress in one way or another since 1999. He burst onto the scene back in 1996 when he reached the world’s top 20 after reaching the last 16 at the Australian Open. It was also the year he won his first ATP Tour title in Toulouse in France.

His progress continued the following year where he won three singles titles and hit a world record service speed. However, his true progress showed in 1998 when he reached his first Grand Slam final, only to lose to fellow Australian Patrick Rafter at the U.S. Open, 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-0. He won in Memphis and finished as the world number 15.

In 1999 the Scud had his greatest triumph in a team event he has had a love-hate relationship with; The Davis Cup. The oft reluctant hero won twice to lead his country to the title. On a personal level, he broke into the top ten for the first time ever.

The year 2000 saw him back to a mid level challenger consistently reaching at least the final 16 of three of the Grand Slams, but still out of touch with the main Grand Slam winners.

With Pete Sampras beginning to falter, Agassi already picking up his obligatory Grand Slam of the year, and the likes of Kuerten and Safin having consistency issues, Philippoussis may just find that this could be his year.