Sizzling Scud

Philippoussis tops Popp to reach meeting with Grosjean

LONDON, July 3 (Reuters) -- Mark Philippoussis came from two sets down to rip German Alexander Popp's Wimbledon dreams to shreds on Thursday with a 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 8-6 victory in their quarterfinal.

With the match left even at 2-2 in the fifth set when rain halted play on Wednesday, the Australian won the final set shootout to tame Popp and reach his first semifinal at the All England Club. He will play Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean.

"I tried to come out firing today, but he did too. I think, God, that last set was a real battle and a little luck gave me the match," said Philippoussis, who has had to endure three knee operations since 1999.

"I came out a little flat [on Wednesday] after that match with Andre [Agassi], but luckily I got out of it. I just wanted to look intimidating which I wasn't in the first two sets.

"I took my chances as that's what I do, and in the end I was a little fortunate."

Philippoussis, nicknamed "Scud" because of his strong serve, had never lost a contest in which he hit more than 30 aces. His tally of 34 was enough to outgun Popp.

The 26-year-old had equaled Goran Ivanisevic's 1997 record of 46 aces in a single match at Wimbledon during his mauling of Agassi in the previous round, and Popp also had to withstand a barrage of fierce missiles.

The statistics told their own tale for Philippoussis, the only former Grand Slam runner-up in the quarterfinals after his run to the final four at the U.S. Open in 1998.

Ninety unreturnable serves along with the aces ensured that an Australian man would reach the Wimbledon semifinals for the fifth year running.

Born four days before his opponent in November, 1976 to an English mother and German father, Popp had his work cut out from the moment he resumed his match.

Popp, who had also reached the quarters in his only other appearance at Wimbledon in 2000, struggled to find his service rhythm as Philippoussis kept at him to get the decisive break.

Having squandered nine break points in Popp's first two service games, Philippousis showed off his athletic skills at 5-5 as he hit a diving volley winner to stave off a break point against him.

Drawing strength from the cries of "Come on, Scud," an animated Philippoussis pounded away from the baseline. Less than an hour after stepping on court, he finally reached match point on his opponent's serve.

Popp surrendered his Wimbledon bid by netting a dipping service return, leaving Philippoussis to lift his arms in delight and acknowledge the noisy Australian contingent on Court 1.

As for the match against the in-form Grosjean on Friday, Philippoussis was unpeturbed, saying: "It doesn't matter who I play, I just want to go and concentrate on my game."

 

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