Philippoussis back on centre court - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Philippoussis back on centre court

18/07/2006 05:57:30 PM Comments (0)

Mark Philippoussis has been afforded centre-court billing as he looks to continue his impressive run at the Indianapolis Open.

Fresh from his drought-breaking success at the Hall of Fame Championship on Rhode Island, Philippoussis will open his Indianapolis campaign against Korean Hyung-Taik Lee.

Victory over Lee, who pushed Lleyton Hewitt to five sets at Wimbledon, would advance Philippoussis to a second-round meeting with eighth seed Xavier Malisse and continue the Scud's push for a return to the world's top 100.

Two other Australians are in action, with successful qualifier Wayne Arthurs taking on Israeli Harel Levy and Nathan Healey playing veteran Swiss George Bastl.

In other action, American teenager Sam Querrey fought back to post a 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 first-round win over Serb Janko Tipsarevic.

The 18-year-old is billed as the next hope for an American game but struggled at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

With all 16 seeds given byes as the summer-long US Open Series begins in this Midwestern city, Querrey drew attention after winning two lower-level Challenger titles.

James Blake, the only American now ranked in the top 10, and world No.11 Andy Roddick head the seedings.

Chile's Fernando Gonzalez is the third seed and defending champion Robby Ginepri, of the US, is fourth.

Querrey, ranked 200th in the world, won his first set against the 126th-ranked Tipsarevic and held a 4-2 lead in the tie-breaker before his nerve failed.

But the teenager showed his determination to win thanks to a break in the opening game of the third set.

"After I was up in the breaker and let it slip, I told myself to stay positive," said the wildcard entry, now 3-5 in ATP matches in his debut season.

"I told myself to get up a break in the third and I was able to do just that.

"I'm getting wildcards and I hope to make the most of them. I'm hoping to win a match or two. I'm doing what I can to help American tennis."

American Jeff Morrison beat Mexico's Santiago Gonzalez 6-2 6-2 to join Querrey in the second round while Thai Danai Udomchoke beat Czech Tomas Cakl 6-2 6-2.

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