HIGH WATER MARK

by James Weston

The steel of his Davis Cup performance elevates Mark Philippoussis firmly into contention for the Australia open 2000

As much as Davis Cup victory in nice, France, in December last year was a coming of age for Australian tennis, it meant so much more for Mark Philippoussis.

Welcomed back to he fold, Philippoussis did more than ease back into the team. he simply picked it up and carried it to Australia's first Davis Cup triumph since 1986.
The Melbourne born right hander won both single rubbers including the clinching point against top ranked Cedric Pioline. It completed a stirring return from injury for Philippoussis who comes to Melbourne for the Australian Open 2000 as the strongest local fancy in the men's singles draw. The knee injury that forced his untimely withdrawal from Wimbledon last year-just when it seemed he had eventual winner Pete Sampras at his mercy- has been rehabilitated and his form at the Palais des Expositions in Nice was so impressive that returns to his home town with a genuine shot at a first grand slam championship..

As for his form, enthusiasm and confidence, they received an ideal Australian Open tune up during an emotional victory on the French coast.

"As soon as I was preparing for this Davis Cup, I knew I had to play some great tennis", he said
"You know, after the games, the match, I can't really explain it. To look over to Newk, Rochey, the boys, everyone's jumping up, the fans going crazy, it's just so much of a better feeling because you're not playing for yourself, you're playing for them. It's our team, it's your country, I don't really understand until you come off the court and you get congratulated, this and that by so many Aussies, it just makes you feel so good."

The return of Philippoussis to Davis Cup in such memorable fashion might well be seen as a watershed in a career elevated to the next tier by the events at Nice.

A US Open final appearance in 98 earmarked the 23 year old for greatness. but the maturity and poise he displayed in front of an impassioned French crowd - beating Sebastien Grosjean in the opening match, then securing the trophy against Pioline-underlined his development in the ensuing 15 months

He noted as much himself: "This is the best moment of my life, "Philippoussis said after soaking up the victory champagne

"I concentrated really well. I can honestly say that I heard no noise form the crowd. just the ball hitting the line, the line calls and my heart beating. I got injured at Wimbledon this year and who knows if I could have gone on to win there. But I would take this for a Wimbledon any time."

Philippoussis had few troubles handling Grosjean in straight sets to claim the vital first point of the tie. Team mate Lleyton Hewitt fell to Pioline in a marathon 3 setter leaving the opening day tied at 1-1 and setting up a stirring Davis Cup finale for doubles pairing Mark Woodford and Todd Woodbridge.

The Woodies, who trailed 1-2. 5-3 and faced a set point, prevailed in 4 sets over Frenchmen Fabrice Santoro and Oliver Delaite, handing Philippoussis the opportunity to close out Australia's 17th Davis Cup triumph when day three opened. Despite Pioline's edge in experience and home court advantage., Philippoussis broke serve in the opening game and maintianed the pressure throughout, winning 6-3. 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.

"Philippoussis was unbelievable today," raved Australian captain John Newcombe. "I think that was the best match he's played in his life so far. That's the best mental tennis he has ever played in his whole life."

Even given the warm afterglow of victory, there is no question Philippoussis has grown comfortable in his skin. Previously in Melbourne a fourth round upest of Sampras in 96 was his high point for the Australian Open. yet even he was immediately aware the bar for the new millennium has been raised,. rightly or wrongly, by his entry into Australia's rich Davis Cup tapestry.

"This is the start of the rest of my career," he declared in the hours after Pioline netted his forehand return to spark the celebrations. And it starts right here, in Melbourne