Eyes on the prize

Philippoussis, Federer vie for first Grand Slam title

Hungry for more WIMBLEDON, England (Reuters) -- Although one British newspaper likened Roger Federer's magical semifinal display to that of fictional wizard Harry Potter, Federer was keeping his feet firmly on the ground before Sunday's Wimbledon final. Tennis fans are still salivating over the 21-year-old's extraordinary demolition of bewildered American Andy Roddick on Friday, but Federer thinks he can get even better. "I don't think I played a perfect game," said the Swiss on the eve of his first Grand Slam final against big-serving Aussie Mark Philippoussis. "But it was definitely a very good match. But all that doesn't matter now. Everything's forgotten. "You always dream of being in a Grand Slam final, then you're in the final and you're almost a little bit disappointed. "It's a surprise in one way, but then in another it's not. I am already five in the world and I have high expectations." His language may seem rather arrogant for somebody about to play the biggest match of their career, but it shows just how far he has developed his mental approach to tennis. He will walk on court Sunday believing he can be a champion. "I feel so much better now," said Federer, lambasted last year after a humiliating first-round defeat at Wimbledon by teen Mario Ancic. "The feeling is relief in a way, that I can perform in Grand Slams, because that was really the only part of my career missing, the Grand Slam results." "So, it's already been a great two weeks, but I could finish it off in style tomorrow. If I could finish off the grasscourt season without losing a match that would be fantastic," added Federer, who won the Halle title a week before Wimbledon. If he wins, it would represent an historic sporting year for Switzerland after the landlocked nation celebrated an unlikely maiden victory in America's Cup sailing and his hometown club Basel joined European soccer's elite in the second group stage of the Champions League. "All the other sports in Switzerland have been doing good. I'm just happy to carry the Swiss flag on the men's tennis side," added Federer.

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- In the interest of preserving a fragile knee and roller-coaster career, Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis gave up his most dangerous hobbies, including skydiving, snowboarding and dirt bikes.

He still surfs, however, and says riding a wave near his home in Southern California is more hairy than stepping onto Centre Court.

Maybe that's why he sounds so ho-hum about playing for his first Grand Slam title Sunday.

"Nothing to get too excited about," the Australian says.

Roger Federer begs to differ. He's thrilled to be the first Swiss man in a major final.

"It's incredible," Federer said. "I'm very happy to have an opportunity to win a Grand Slam, and this is my favorite tournament. It's a dream."

In the United States, network TV types and headline writers would have preferred Andy vs. Andre, but no one will argue that either finalist will be an unworthy champion. After all, Federer beat Andy Roddick in the semifinals, and Philippoussis eliminated Andre Agassi in the fourth round.

The final might even produce some entertaining tennis, never a given on grass. Federer's elegant all-court versatility will contrast with Philippoussis' single-minded, big-swinging game, which has delivered 164 aces in six rounds.

Each has long been touted as a future Grand Slam champion, and Philippoussis was on the verge five years ago when he lost to fellow Australian Pat Rafter in the U.S. Open final. The next year he hurt his left knee, an injury that led to three operations and more than two months in a wheelchair. He missed all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2001.

With his career in jeopardy, the comeback began slowly. He moved to the San Diego area and began working with a fitness trainer whose clients include members of the Green Berets. One exercise had Philippoussis descending long stairways hands first.

"We've done some crazy drills where he's nearly made me cry," said Philippoussis, 26.

He cut back on the hobbies, curbed his appetite for night life and began to concentrate on tennis. Before this year's French Open, Philippoussis began working again with his father, who oversaw his early development, after parting with coach Peter McNamara.

Long the owner of a thunderous serve and forehand, Philippoussis is showing he now knows how to win. At Wimbledon he has rallied from a set down twice, and from two sets down once. He rose to the occasion in the semifinals Friday, blowing away Sebastien Grosjean in straight sets.

With one more victory, he'll become the third unseeded men's champion since Wimbledon began seeding players in 1927. The others were Boris Becker in 1985 and Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.

"Mark is one of the most talented players I've ever seen," said fellow Australian Pat Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon champion. "When he can put it together and when he serves the way he can, he has so much power, so much ability and so much strength. He's an animal out there."

The No. 4-seeded Federer takes a different approach. While he managed the feat of out-serving Roddick, he mixes the pace and spin of his strokes and can hit a winner from anywhere on the court.

Two years ago, at 19, Federer showed he could play on grass by ending Pete Sampras' 31-match Wimbledon winning streak. This year he has won grass, hardcourt and clay court titles, a testament to his versatility.

All that's left is the long-expected Grand Slam breakthrough.

"He's a true master of his class," said Becker, a three-time Wimbledon champion. "He's playing tennis like they used to play -- go back to Ilie Nastase.

"He can serve-and-volley at times, he can stay back, he plays the drop shot, he plays the slice, he really can play all shots. That's something we don't see that much anymore, and it's good that this kind of tennis is succeeding at Wimbledon."

 

Related information

Stories

Notebook: Money dispute damaging tennis' image Federer exposes holes in Roddick's game Federer pleased to prove his doubters wrong Roddick exposes generation gap in racket debate Philippoussis gives Grosjean healthy serving in semi Serena defends Wimbledon title against Venus

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video