Los Angeles, Aug 01: Wimbledon runner-up Mark Philippoussis beat Michael Chang 6-2 6-4 at the 380,000 dollar Los Angeles ATP event to set up a quarter-final showdown with Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten.
Fifth seed Philippoussis needed just 30 minutes to win the first set then jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the second before the 16-year tour veteran Chang fought back to tie it at 3-3.
"I was a little frustrated at 3-3 but I wasn't too worried because I knew I was still up by a set," said Philippoussis. "I felt confident on his service games. I knew I could always find a way to return his serve."
Philippoussis set up a quarter-final clash with three-time Roland Garros champion Kuerten who beat American Eric Taino yesterday 6-3 7-6 (7/5).
Philippoussis now holds a 5-4 career edge over Chang, having won the last five-straight matches after Chang dominated him at the beginning.



"He's 31 years old, so he has run a lot of miles on the court," said Philippoussis of Chang, who is retiring from the tour after the US Open which begins next month. "It takes a lot out of him to win a match. He wins by grinding people out."



Philippoussis is coming off his best showing on the grass at Wimbledon where he upset no. 2 seed Andre Agassi before dropping the final to Swiss star Roger Federer. He has no plans to rest on his laurels.



"I am not thinking about playing like I was at Wimbledon," Kuerten said. "My focus now is on the hardcourts.


Bureau Report