Scottsdale (Arizona, USA), Mar 08: Mark Philippoussis made a welcome return to the business end of a tournament for the first time in more than a year, reaching the semi-finals yesterday at the 400,000-dollar ATP Templeton Classic.
The 26-year-old scud last booked a place in the final four of an event in Adelaide in January, 2002, only weeks after making a come-back after six months away due to knee surgery.
The 1997 tournament champion re-discovered that winning feeling as he rallied to oust Argentine Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian, the third seed, 0-6 6-3 6-4. The reassuring victory was a complement to the straight-set decision taken earlier by compatriot and Davis Cup teammate Lleyton Hewitt, who defeated Spain's Alex Corretja 6-4 6-2.
Hewitt, the world no. 1 and top seed who won here in 2000, joined Philippoussis in producing his best result of the young year.



"I'm getting better, that's the main thing," said the two-time grand slam winner, who lost in the fourth round of the Australian Open and whose last foray on the court was in Davis Cup a month ago.



"That's what I wanted, that's why I came here. Hopefully, I can keep it going.


Bureau Report