Big break

Henman solves Scud's serve at right time, takes title

Tim Henman raises his trophy after defeating Mark Philippoussis in Adelaide. AP

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) -- Tim Henman of Britain broke Mark Philippoussis' serve in the final game Sunday to give the top seed a 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-3 win in the final of the Australian men's hardcourt tennis championships.

Rain delayed the start of the match for almost three hours.

Trailing 5-4 on serve in the first set, Philippoussis tightened up and lost direction with his ball toss, serving three double faults for the game, including two in a row to move from deuce to game, giving the first set to Henman.

Henman put on the pressure early in the second set, playing a sharp and aggressive opening game on his serve before breaking Philippoussis in the fourth game of the set for a 3-1 lead.

A double fault at deuce again cost Philippoussis in that game, setting up break point for Henman.

But the Australian came back to save the set from 5-3 down, hitting two dipping backhand returns to force Henman to volley into the net twice in a row to win the game from 30-30.

In the tense tiebreaker that followed, Philippoussis gained the crucial advantage at 6-6 with a backhand pass down the line. His serve finally came through for him when he took the set with an ace to level the match.

At 1-1 in the deciding set, Philippoussis again double faulted at 30-40 to give Henman the break and this time there was no coming back, Henman finishing the match on his second match point on Philippoussis' serve.

Henman said he was pleased with the win but will now turn his focus to the Australian Open that begins on Jan. 14.

"You want to go in full of confidence and I feel full of confidence but what does that guarantee me -- not anything," Henman said. "I have to try to work hard in the next few days and start all over again."

Philippoussis said he was more disappointed with the way he lost than the result.

"I hated giving away those service games the way I did with double faults," he said. "I don't mind him coming up with winners but it is very frustrating."

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