By BRUCE MATTHEWS

DAVIS Cup hero Mark Philippoussis will use that final-day

victory over Frenchman Cedric Pioline as the blueprint for an

assault on the four grand slam titles this year.

He said the four-sets win in Nice last month to clinch the cup

for Australia emphasised the sustained focus required to become

one of the world's top players.

"I'm expecting something from myself; I finished off incredibly

last year, Philippoussis said before a practice session at the

Hopman Cup yesterday.

"Maybe I want it more. The Davis Cup showed what I can do, not really

for anyone else but myself. The way I concentrated that match,

if I can maintain that, who knows what might happen this year.

"The only goal I'm setting myself is to stay healthy and give myself a

chance to do what I know I can."

The transformation from Davis Cup villain to idol has clearly buoyed

the 23-year-old who, although insisting his motto is still kill or be

killed, has drawn inspiration from the team atmosphere.

He is genuinely thrilled to hold three team titles: defending the

Hopman Cup with Jelena Dokic, winning the World Team Cup with Pat Rafter

And the Woodles and that Davis Cup glory.

"Everything you do is as a team. You have lunch, breakfast, you might go

and play golf, you watch the movies, tell stories around the table at

dinner time. You do drills and urge each other to get to that ball,"

he said.

"I love tennis because it's individual and you rely only on yourself.

But I do love the time when I get to play on a team, spend time with other

guys and have fun.

"Davis Cup matches have started people's careers. I have had times

when I was in the zone and beat Pete (Sampras) at the Australian Open.

But here (against Pioline)I was just focused from the first point to the

Last point. I expect that everytime I go out there and I want to bring

that to matches on the tour.

"I've had moments when I've played great tennis, but I was just

letting it flow. But this time I was prepared for every point and actually

I'm quite excited about this year."

Dokic sat up into the early hours in Sydney to watch the Davis Cup final

and, clearly, the feat has fuelled her already substantial and admirable

self-belief.

The 16-year-old virtually implored Philippoussis to help carry Australia

To another Hopman Cup final for a possible rematch with her Wimbledon

quarter-final conqueror Alexandra Stevenson.

If Australia and the United States do happen to head the respective

groups, watch for fireworks in the opening singles match against Ste-

venson, the equally brazen young American.

"I know what I would have to do (against Stevenson). I should have

beaten her at Wimbledon and 1 know what I did wrong. If I could play her

again I think I would win. I never lose to anyone

twice," Dokic said.

"I got a bit tight in the third set and didn't go for my shots and my

serve let me down a bit. My serve has improved a lot and so has my game.

If I could go and play that match again, I think I would win in two sets.

I don't think she's the type of player who probably could beat me. She

doesn't have that game to beat me."

Dokic, who doesn't turn 17 until April, has spent the past month training

in Sydney and, in particular, working on better movement around the

court.

She has a wildcard into next week's adidas International at the new

Homebush Bay tennis centre and is hoping the women's tour will grant

her speclaj dispensation to play more tournaments this year.

The hard-hitting Sydney player said one tournament before a major

championship wasn't sufficient preparation. "You can't do anything

with that number of tournaments."

Phulippoussis resumed training a week ago after taking time off to go

surfing and fishing with friends on Victoria's west coast and catch up

with his mother and sister in Melbourne.

He gives the impression the Davis Cup performances have given him an

inner peace as much as public acceptance. "I'm 23 now and the pressure

was at the start a few years ago. Biggest thing for me this year is

consistency, being mentally tough and ready on the court; giving myself

the best possible chance in every match."

Trainer Gavin Hopper said he was struck by the transformation when

Philippoussis started back following the knee injury at Wimbledon. "I

noticed it coming a little after the injury when he realised he wasn't

immortal and his career could finish with a little slip on the court,"

Hopper said.

"There was a focus to put out maximum potential all the time. Now

there's a sense of striving for more accomplishment. Nice was the cata-

lyst to give him the chance to win multiple grand slams."