SportCentral-AAP - 5th November, 1999
TEN: HEWIIT AND PHILIPPOUSSIS THROUGH TO THIRD ROUND IN PARIS
PARIS, Nov 3 AFP/AAP - Australians Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis both celebrated
second round wins at
the Paris Open indoor tennis tournament today, as Andre Agassi sealed the No.1 world
ranking for the year.
The duo signalled they will prove a tough task for the French in the Davis Cup final in
Nice in early December, showing some dazzling form.
Hewitt handed Agassi the No.1 crown when he defeated world No.2 Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-4 2-6
6-4, repeating his
recent Davis Cup semi-final victory.
The Russian's early exit meant he was unable to close the points spread on Agassi, who
ended Pete Sampras' record six-year reign of year-end No.1 rankings.
Philippoussis, fighting his way back into form after his knee injury, downed eighth seeded
Dutchman Richard Krajicek in straight sets 7-5 6-3.
The Hewitt-Kafelnikov encounter, the most highly-charged of the day, was billed as a
grudge match of sorts after
Kafelnikov blasted his Australian hosts at the Davis Cup semi-final, saying the grass in
Brisbane was like playing "on a potato field".
He was also less than complimentary about Hewitt's game. But Kafelnikov might change
his mind after suffering another rude awakening at the Australian's hands on the centre
court here as Hewitt again showed tremendous grit to advance in two and a quarter hours.
Hewitt insisted there was no grudge between the two players but he was clearly delighted
to beat Kafelnikov, signalling '2-0' to the crowd before an icy handshake at the net.
"It is a big bonus to beat the No.2 player in the world because I haven't done much
in the Grand Slams and Super 9
events," Hewitt said.
"The last set was probably the best set of tennis I have ever played. Yevgeny played
well but I came up with some
really big shots."
Hewitt believed he handled the pressure between the two players better than his more
experienced opponent.
"He is the world No.2 on his favourite surface so he should have had the edge,"
Hewitt said.
"He was getting edgy and hit the umpire's chair. That got me fired up but I
controlled my emotions well."
And from Oncourt.com, here's their combo Wednesday review/Thursday preview report:
Hewitt v Pioline in Davis Cup preview
By Paul Macpherson
Lleyton Hewitt gets the chance to build on his psychological advantage over Cedric Pioline
when the pair clash in the third round of the Paris Indoor tonight. Hewitt, who has beaten
the French No.1 in both career meetings (which have come this year), has the chance to
extend that record to 3-0. And, importantly, he can do it in front of a partisan French
crowd, just weeks before a certain re-match with Pioline in the Davis Cup Final on French
soil in Nice.
Hewitt is fourth match on centre court tonight. Fellow Australian Mark Philippoussis is
second match on against Tim Henman.
Also from Oncourt.com, here's an AUS DC report:
Woodbridge back in Davis Cup squad
Australia's Davis Cup Captain John Newcombe announced a seven-man Squad on Thursday for
the eagerly
anticipated Davis Cup Final against France next month (3-5 December).
Mark Philippoussis (ranked 22), Lleyton Hewitt (26), Richard Fromberg (81), Wayne Arthurs
(88), Mark Woodforde (131 – doubles ranking: 9), Todd Woodbridge (161 – doubles
ranking 7) and Sandon Stolle (369 – doubles ranking 8) comprise the Australian Squad
that will participate in a training camp in San Remo, Italy (23-27 November) before
arriving in Nice for the Final. James Sekulov has been named hitting partner.
Despite the absence of headliner Patrick Rafter, Newcombe says he, Coach Tony Roche, and
the Squad are ready for "anything the French are prepared to dish out".
"These guys have dreamt of having their names engraved on that magnificent trophy,
and we're not prepared to let
anything stand in our way," Newcombe said today from Sydney.
Australia's likely opposition will be Cedric Pioline (17), Sebastien Grosjean (27) –
with Nicolas Escude (50) pushing
for a singles berth – and the predicted doubles pairing of Olivier Delaitre (doubles
ranking of 15) and Fabrice Santoro (36).
Newcombe said the signs are good for Australia's singles players with Mark Philippoussis
advancing to the third round in Paris overnight (defeating Richard Krajicek 75 63) and
Lleyton Hewitt boasting a semi final berth in Singapore, a final appearance in Lyon and
the South Australian teenager is also through to the Paris third round after defeating
Yevgeny Kafelnikov (64 26 64). Hewitt now meets Pioline in Paris.
The 'Woodies' (Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde) have regained form with the pair
reaching two consecutive finals (Shanghai and Singapore) last month.
"The lines are drawn and we are ready," Newcombe said. Sizing up his opposition,
Newcombe was wary of being
dismissive. "It's going to be tough. We know that. After all, that's what Davis Cup
is about."
Twenty-six-time-Champions, Australia last reached a Davis Cup final in 1993 (losing to
Germany away). The nation's last victory was in 1986 (defeated Sweden at home). France has
won the Davis Cup eight times, with its last victory just three years ago (defeated Sweden
away). Australia leads the nation's Davis Cup head-to-head tally 9/3.