Newk buoyed by first day singles

4dec99


12.30pm, AEDT: AUSTRALIA will head into the last day of the Davis Cup tennis final on Sunday with captain John Newcombe bubbling with confidence after the opening day displays of Mark Philippoussis and Lleyton Hewitt.

Only one of them was a winner, but the powerful Philippoussis and the gallant Hewitt showed enough here today to suggest that regardless of the doubles result, Australia's hopes of their first Cup in 13 years were on very solid ground.

Philippoussis earned favouritism for Sunday's first reverse singles match against Pioline by trouncing Grosjean 6-4 6-2 6-4 – an effort the emotional Melburnian rated as the biggest win of his career.

And Hewitt was courageous enough – though he suffered through inexperience – in his 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 loss to Pioline to suggest Grosjean, hapless yesterday, would be also no match for him.

"I have a good feeling," said Newcombe, adding Philippoussis had the game to take his record against Pioline to 3-0.

"I think I give Mark slight edge. The type of game Mark plays is maybe able to penetrate some of Cedric's game. I've seen him do it before. I think he can do it again.

"I think Lleyton will be confident going into day three if he has to play the decider. I feel pretty good about what he did out there today."

Pioline was able to produce the tactics required – mainly serve-and-volley play – to keep his nose in front when Hewitt rallied, as he did repeatedly.

But with a meagre 42 per cent of first serves in, and a whopping 59 unforced errors to Hewitt's 44, Pioline's was an inconsistent display will be more severely punished by Philippoussis if repeated.

Despite a rocky Davis Cup past centring on some selective availability, Philippoussis said it was patriotic emotion which helped him focus.

He dropped his second service game, but from there was entirely comfortable on the clay, ending with 36 winners to Grosjean's 19.

The 23-year-old said he was "out to prove how important Davis Cup is to me, because some people think that it's not so important to me."

"This is the biggest win of my life so far," he said.

"There's nothing more important to an athlete than representing his country.

"You can't really understand the true feeling of a Davis Cup final until you play in a final. Today it was what it's all about."

Philippoussis said he was moved by the cheers of the Australian fans who made up about one tenth of the 10,000-strong crowd, and by the playing of Advance Australia Fair.

"At that moment I felt like I just couldn't wait to get on court," he said. "That's when I knew it was going to be a good day for me."

Hewitt showed signs of rawness in his 3 hour 40 minute marathon three setter against Pioline, a veteran of one Davis Cup triumph in 1996, and who at 30 is 12 years Hewitt's senior.

Serving at 40-0 to go 4-2 up in the first set, Hewitt instead produced a series of errors to allow Pioline to break him back.

He also served a double fault on set point at 7-6 in the tiebreak to decide the marathon 82 minute first set.

But he had also shown great fight on more than one occasion, clawing back in the third set from 5-1 down – saving a match point at 5-2 – to still appear from from buried at 5-5 before the Frenchman edged away.

Hewitt admitted suffering some nerves before the intimidating crowd. He reflected "you can't buy experience", but added he had enormous motivation to beat Grosjean should the two be playing in the deciding rubber.

"It's the worst feeling I've ever had as a tennis player, losing a Davis Cup match," said Hewitt, who had won his only previous four.

"I can say I don't want to have this feeling again."

As much as Philippoussis deserved kudos, even French captain Guy Forget said of 21-year-old Grosjean: "If he plays the same match as today, he won't win against Hewitt."

Philippoussis Overpowers Grosjean

Final 99, FRA vs. AUS

Nice, Dec. 3

When John Newcombe declared on the eve of the final that he thought clay could well represent an advantage to Mark Philippoussis, one could have thought this was just a way to express the confidence of a team ready for the battle. But after the first match, it seems like Newcombe was right. After just one hour and 58 minutes of a one sided match, Australia's number one player strongly justified his position, by outclassing a nervous Sébastien Grosjean 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. The youth and relative lack of experience of the Frenchman proved to be a definite disadvantage for him in a huge occasion such as this one. Needless to say that France's third Davis Cup final of the decade was extremely mediatised in the last month, and the pressure equally as heavy on the players shoulders.

As soon as the players stepped onto the court, the 13000 spectators started showing that they were ready to take full part in the final, booing every shot hit by the Australian, and encouraging those of Grosjean.

Both players looked nervous when the match began. But already, one could tell that Philippoussis had decided to go for each and everyone of his shots. And since he is probably the hardest hitting player on the circuit, the violence of his shots looked impressive. The Aussie was the first one to break in the third game, just to see Grosjean come back strong to 2 games all thanks to a perfect crosscourt forehand passing shot. Still, Grosjean had a hard time returning his opponent's serve, even the second balls which sometimes bounced above his shoulder. Leading 4-3, Grosjean suddenly lost his serve on two easy forehand mistakes. And he allowed Philippoussis to continue his way forward by capturing five straight games, to lead by a set and 2-0 in the second. In spite of the loud cheers of the crowd, Grosjean couldn't get his head out of the water, and went on to drop the set 6-2.

Serving at 2 all in the third, the Frenchman came back from 15-40 down, but ended up dropping his serve once again missing yet another easy forehand. Still dominated by his opponent's power, Grosjean could never threaten him back. Serving for the match, Philippoussis came back from 15-30 down, to win the next three points benefiting from a last forehand into the net by the Frenchman. Overall, it was the stronger nerves of Australia's number one, and his taste for dynamite tennis which made the difference with 36 winners for a mere 19 for Grosjean.

Saturday 4 December 1999

AAP, NICE

Mark Philippoussis got Australia off to the best possible start in the Davis Cup tennis final against France, crushing Sebastien Grosjean in straight sets.

Philippoussis, ranked 19th to Grosjean's 27, overcame some early nerves to win the first match of the best-of-five final 6-4 6-2 6-4 in just under two hours.

The big Victorian, returning to the team after missing the quarter- and semi-finals through knee surgery, looked well at home on the indoor claycourt of Nice's Palais Des Expositions.

He secured the first service break to go 2-1 up in the first set, though he immediately wasted that advantage in the next game, stumbling from 40-30 to allow Grosjean to break back, committing a double fault on the first deuce point.

But from there Philippoussis was barely troubled.

Games went to serve until 4-4, before Philippoussis secured the vital break - Grosjean showing the nerves that would dog him all day by netting two backhands from deuce. Philippoussis served out confidently to 15 to take the set in 40 minutes.

He continued the momentum in the second set, breaking Grosjean's serve in the opening game. Philippoussis had looked clumsy with balls around his feet as the match opened, but a neat backhand half volley which converted his first break point showed his increasing confidence.

He also showed courage to save two break points against his own serve in the next game, the second with a cooly taken backhand volley.

And he was again able to pounce in the seventh game, going 5-2 up through a Grosjean error on the third break point. He served comfortably again to take the set in 41 minutes.

Philippoussis - rating this the biggest occasion in his at times turbulent tennis career - continued where he left off in the third set, taking the first break to lead 3-2. Though Grosjean played above himself to save two break points, he netted a backhand under pressure on the third.

Philippoussis kept it steady from there, holding on to serve out for the match in the 10th game, despite Grosjean fighting back from
0-15 to lead 30-15 with the French crowd behind him.

Philippoussis, however produced an unreturnable serve on his first match point.

The Australian bench gave him an enormous reception for a display which set Australia on target for its first Davis Cup in 13 years.

The match was played in a football-style atmosphere before 10,000 fans. They were overwhelmingly pro-French, but the Aussies drew support from around 1,000 vocal fans.

Philippoussis, who exchanged high fives with his team-mates and captain John Newcombe, said he was pleased with his coolness.

"I'm extremely happy with how I played," the 23-year-old said. "I was solid today and I stayed calm."

Asked if he was revelling in the atmosphere of his first Cup final, he smiled and replied: "This is what it's all about."

Philippoussis served six aces to Grosjean's five and, despite making 33 unforced errors to the Frenchman's 29, he made 36 winners to 19.

The win took Philippoussis's Davis Cup win-loss record to 7-4, while 21-year-old Grosjean is now 1-3 after an ordinary debut year so far.

END


France steadies to tie first day of final

Philippoussis advances Australia
By LEO SCHLINK

5dec99


MARK Philippoussis will today attempt to reproduce his first-day Davis Cup final heroics when he jousts with French spearhead Cedric Pioline in the hope of completing a glorious rise from outcast to idol.

Flushed with pride after posting the most important win of his career, Philippoussis credited the inspiration for his wonderful performance against Sebastien Grosjean to the Australian national anthem.

Determined to continue his outstanding form today in the fourth singles rubber against Pioline, Philippoussis said he was lifted by the strains of Advance Australia Fair before trouncing Grosjean in the opening match.

Condemned pre-tie as a reluctant convert to the Australian cause, Philippoussis vindicated his selection with a thumping 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win.

"Standing up for the national anthem, I couldn't wait to get on court," Philippoussis said. "I was just ready to get on, couldn't wait.

"It was just a great feeling walking on court, hearing all the Aussie fans going crazy."

The son of Greek and Italian immigrants, the Victorian couldn't eat before the match because he was so nervous. Having shelved the idea of digesting breakfast, Philippoussis returned to his room and rested before advancing to a superb win.

In the process, Philippoussis exorcised the ghosts of a troubled past with Davis Cup officialdom.

"I'm sort of out to prove something," Philippoussis said. "But (I'm) more out to prove how important Davis Cup is to me, because some people think that it's not so important to me.

"This is the biggest win of my life so far. I'm very relaxed at the moment . . . there's nothing more important to an athlete than representing his country.

"You can't really understand the true feeling of a Davis Cup final until you play in a final. Today, it was what it was all about."

Ostracised by team-mates and officials after refusing to play for Australia last year during a dispute with team captain John Newcombe and coach Tony Roche, Philippoussis shunted Australia to a 1-0 lead.




That's 'Flip' at his best Sunday Telegraph (Sydney) or
Fired-up Flip our big hope Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne)

By Pat Rafter, 5 December 1999

Composited article from both papers by Peta

Mark Philippoussis's performance against Sebastien Grosjean in the Davis Cup final was the best match I've ever seen from him and it keeps Australia in a strong position to win.

Flip was terrific and handled the pressure unbelievably well to give Australia a 1-0 lead before Lleyton Hewitt just couldn't quite pull it off against Cedric Pioline. I still think Australia's chances of winning this final are very good.

The way this tie is developing nobody will be surprised if it comes down to the fifth rubber between Lleyton and Grosjean. If it does, my money will be on Lleyton.

The first day had everything we've come to expect from Davis Cup, but the thing which really surprised was the way in which Mark handled the occasion.

I was uncertain of how he would go simply because nobody knew much about his preparation for the match.

He is obviously in very good form and his confidence reflects that.

For a long time now Mark has been regarded as a very good player capable of great things and, in his match against Grosjean, he really lived up to his reputation.

He was under all sorts of pressure to prove himself and he did very well.

The last time I saw him play at that level was when he beat Pete Sampras at the 1996 Australian Open, but the difference between the two performances was that he didn't know what pressure was three years ago.

Now he does and it takes special character to be able to walk into a situation like he did and come out with a win.

If Mark had lost, it would have been even tougher for Lleyton. Cedric is a Wimbledon and US Open finalist and you could see why as the match wore on.

Lleyton struggled after not taking his chances in the first set. He was up a break a couple of times and then served for it in the tiebreak. Against a player like Pioline, you've got to make the most of your opportunities.

What intrigued me most was how calm Lleyton was on court. I wonder if he might have been better off playing like he usually does.

I spoke to him about an hour and a half before the match and he was determined not to give the crowd anything so that they wouldn't get on his case.

As it turns out, it might have been a bit of a negative. He needed to get on top of Pioline, who likes to stand inside the baseline and get his opponent on the defensive.

Lleyton showed what a fantastic fighter he is by coming back from 1-5 in the third set, but he just couldn't quite get there.

We've got two great chances of wrapping it up tonight (Pat would have written this prior to the Doubles match, so he had already picked their win there!) On current form, and given that Lleyton kept Pioline out there for 3½ hours, Mark will be very hard to beat in the first match. Lleyton would have learnt a lot from his match with Pioline and I can see him beating Grosjean.

Captain John Newcombe and all the boys believe they can nail this match and that's the way they're approaching it.

Scud rates cup win as his best
By LINDA PEARCE, NICE

AUSTRALIA took a slight singles detour on the way to its supposed Davis Cup destiny and it may be up to the prodigal son, Mark Philippoussis, to lead the way home. Philippoussis will today launch the live reverse singles in the final against France, and Friday's form suggests he is capable of capping a rousing return to national affection.

Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde were to determine whether Philippoussis would have the benefit of a 2-1 lead or the pressure of a deficit against opposite No.1 Cedric Pioline. History and reality both suggest that the result of the Woodies' doubles match against Olivier Delaitre and Fabrice Santoro was set to have a huge impact on the outcome of the tie.

Just as, on Friday, Philippoussis made a major statement against a hapless Sebastien Grosjean. This was a restrained Philippoussis (note: just six aces), who stuck intelligently to his game plan on the medium-paced red clay that captain John Newcombe believes can be one of his strongest surfaces.

The Australian No.1 demoralised Grosjean 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 and it will be a big task for the Frenchman to regroup before today's final rubber against Lleyton Hewitt, who was unable to maintain his unbeaten Davis Cup record against Pioline but would be favored against Grosjean should the final depend on a fifth match.


Yet forget Hewitt for a moment; for a change, it was Philippoussis who earned the Davis Cup plaudits. Injury and unavailability have limited the former problem child to just two ties in two years, but he rated the thrashing of Grosjean as his finest tennis moment. Too nervous to eat beforehand, he was roused by Advance Australia Fair and could barely wait to take the court.


``I'm sort of out to prove something, but more to prove how important Davis Cup is to me, because some people think that it's not so important to me,'' Philippoussis said. ``But this is by far, you know, the biggest win of my life so far.


``There's nothing more important to an athlete than representing his country. I haven't really understood ... you can't really understand the true feeling of a Davis Cup final until you play in one.


``It was just a great feeling, walking on the court, hearing the Aussie fans go crazy. When they call out your name, you know, you take a step forward and wave, then you hear the national anthem. At that moment, I felt like I just couldn't wait to get on court, to be quite honest. I was just ready. That's when I knew it was going to be a good day for me and hopefully for the team.''


More sobering is the knowledge that Pioline, despite serving at just 42percent against the strong-returning Hewitt, represents a far tougher proposition. The understated Frenchman is yet to beat Philippoussis in their two matches, three-setters on hardcourt and carpet. But unlike the 175-centimetre Grosjean, Pioline will be fighting in his own weight division.


``That should be pretty exciting, because they're both playing excellent tennis,'' Newcombe said. ``I think I give Mark a slight edge. I think that the type of game Mark plays is maybe able to penetrate some of Cedric's game. I've seen him do it before. I think he can do it again.''


Pioline acknowledged the danger presented by Philippoussis, his serve and his power. He also planned to have a word with Grosjean, helping captain Guy Forget convince the player he should feel no irredeemable guilt for his third loss in four cup singles.


Still, there must be improvement, particularly on Grosjean's stronger forehand side. ``Sunday against Hewitt, Sebastien will have to raise the level of his game, which is possible,'' Forget said. ``But if he plays the same match as today, he won't win against Hewitt. He has to be aware of his capacities, he has to analyse the game of his opponent, and he has to be more convincing and more convinced of his game.''


Hewitt won the only previous contest between the pair 6-3, 6-2 on green clay at Delray Beach in May on the way to his second career singles title.