Philippoussis: Andre's Playing Like No. 1
Agassi extinguishes the Scud
By Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net
Siggi Bucher
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FROM THE SIEBEL OPEN IN SAN JOSE, CALIF. – There was a time three years ago that matchup between Andre Agassi and Mark "The Scud " Philippoussis would be a hold on to your hats, wear your helmet affair.
No more.
Agassi has lapped Philippoussis and after he destroyed the Aussie 6-4, 6-1 in the second round on Thursday night, Philippoussis said that the No. 2 ranked Agassi is playing better now than his countryman and Davis Cup teammate No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt.
"He's the hottest player right now, he's the No. 1" "Philippoussis said. "He returns so well and keeps pressure on your at every moment. Lleyton's ranked No. 1, but Andre's so hot and his results speak for themselves."
Aussie Open champ Agassi has won 25 of his last 26 sets, has been broken once in his last six matches and has broken opponents 31 times in that span.
Philippoussis can still dazzle with his long, thunderous swings at his groundstrokes and his 130-mph plus service bombs, but he doesn't move very well post knee problems, can't seem to hit a decent first volley and is simply wild on his backhand side.
PHILIPPOUSSIS NOT A VOLLEYER
"Mark isn't natural volleyer," Agassi said. "That's not his strength. If he can get his feet in position to set up and hit his shots from the back court, he's a huge presence out there. It's my job not to let him or anyone else set up and keep it out of his strike zone. He's effective at net when he uses his approaches wisely, but he can't commit to coming in full time like Pete or Rafter could."
Agassi committed only five unforced errors to the Scud's 22 and, towards the end of the second set, was making mincemeat of his second serve. The Scud would serve one into the body, Agassi would rifle it back into his feet. Flipper would go wide to the forehand, Andre would either wait a bit and roll it down the line or step in and crack it crosscourt. Philippoussis would kick one wide to Agassi's backhand and Andre would sear it down he line. So much for the former US Open finalist Scud blowing up the world.
"Pace isn't the problem," Agassi said. "There's a lot of times you're going to able to make no play on his serve but if I can get my racket it on the ball, one of my strengths is that I can hit it back firmly."
Agassi will play former Wimbledon semifinalist Vladimir Voltchkov in the quarters and should he win there, could face Davis Cupper James Blake in the semis. Blake has young Russian Davis Cup hero Nicolas Davydenko in the quarters. The
bottom half of the draw features to lost and now found Americans: Vince Spadea, who will face sixth seed Davide Sanguinetti; and Justin Gimelstob, who will take on Kenneth Carlsen.
