Philippoussis hands Australia lead with laboured win

The hard-hitting Australian eventually sealed victory with an ace after over two hours of a close fight on a hot, sunny day in this Western German city.

Reneberg, ranked a modest 291st in the world, came to Duesseldorf to play doubles but was called up for singles duty after Andre Agassi pulled out with a shoulder injury.

Pete Sampras and Pat Rafter, respectively second and third in the ATP Tour rankings, were facing each other in the second match. The winners of the tie will play Seden in Saturday8217;s final.

Karol Kucera put Slovakia 1-0 ahead of France by crushing Guillaume Raoux 6-3 6-2 in a dead rubber in the day8217;sother tie. Raoux stepped in after Cedric Pioline withdrew with a sore groin.

Pioline flew straight back to Paris for medical checks and was hoping to be fit for the French Open starting on Monday. He reached the semifinals at Roland Garros last year.

Henman upbeat

Losing his two matches at the World Team Cup did not dent the enthusiasm of Britain8217;s Tim Henman, who believes he is ready for a breakthrough at next week8217;s French Open.

8220;I can only do better than the last times anyway,8221; he said after losing 7-6, 6-4 to Swede Thomas Enqvist yesterday in his last match before travelling to Paris.

The British world no seven, who has never gone past first round in three previous appearances at Roland Garros, had pushed French Open champion Carlos Moya to three sets in his first match here.

8220;I8217;ve had good matches here and my form on clay is as good as it8217;s ever been,8221; he said. 8220;I couldn8217;t have asked for a better preparation and I8217;m really looking forward to it.8221;

Henman, who proved hisattacking game could be efficient on clay by reaching the quarter-finals in Hamburg earlier this month, said he was in top shape. 8220;The first year I went to Paris, I had not played a single match on clay before it.8221;

8220;The second year it was after elbow surgery and third year, I got injured the day before. Never before have I been so confident coming into French,8221; he said.

Britain8217;s other top player, Greg Rusedski, had put up a strong performance before losing in three sets to French Open finalist Alex Corretja in his first match here.

But yesterday the world number 13 looked helpless as Swede Jonas Bjorkman destroyed him 6-2 6-2 in just 51 minutes.