Philippoussis Sybase Champion

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

February 12, 1999 / 2:36 AM EST / CBS Sportsline

Australia's Mark Philippoussis utilized his best weapon -- his power game -- to overwhelm surprise finalist Cecil Mamiit of the United States, 6-3, 6-2, today to win the $325,000 Sybase Open.

Philippoussis, the third seed, blistered a service winner on match point to secure the $46,000 top prize for his first ATP Tour title of the year and sixth career.

Philippoussis broke Mamiit in the second game of the match, but the American broke back in the fifth game as Philippoussis double-faulted. The Australian broke back in the next game for a 4-2 lead and closed out the set with another break.

The Australian stormed to a 4-0 lead in the second set before serving out the match in the eighth game.

Mamiit won only 20 percent of points (6-of-30) on Philippoussis' first serve and 46 percent of points on his own serve. Despite ending the week on a sour note, the 22-year-old Mamiit completed the most impressive week of his career.

After qualifying to enter the main draw, he watched defending champion Andre Agassi eliminate himself in the second round Wednesday after uttering a series of obscenities. On Saturday, he shocked countryman and idol Michael Chang in three sets to reach his first ATP Tour final.

Mamiit's play this week will push his ranking from No. 120 to around No. 86 when the new ATP rankings are released Monday.

Mamiit, the 1996 NCAA singles champion as a freshman at Southern California, was attempting to become the second qualifier to win an ATP Tour title this year and the first qualifier to win this event.

A well-rested Philippoussis fired 39 aces in four matches this week, including seven today, as he became the first Australian to win this event since Darren Cahill in 1991. He did not have to play his semifinal match after world No. 1 Pete Sampras withdrew with an injury just above his left ankle Saturday.

Last year, the 22-year-old Philippoussis won the Kroger St. Jude in Memphis and lost to countryman Patrick Rafter in the U.S. Open final. He reached the fourth round at last month's Australian Open, losing to eventual runner-up Thomas Enqvist.