Philippoussis _ sporting a shorter haircut and his usual thumping serve
_ pulled off the opening day's
biggest upset with a 6-7 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, 6-2 victory Monday
over No. 7 seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
That prompted him to talk boldly about winning at Wimbledon, not a far
stretch for the tall Australian
who won last year's Queen's grass-court warmup for Wimbledon - then
lost to eventual champion Pete
Sampras in the first round at the All England Club.
This year, Philippoussis lost in the first round at Queen's and - in
a fit of temper - said he wouldn't play
Wimbledon.
``I haven't had a great year, but I really do honestly think there's
no reason why I can't win this
tournament,'' Philippoussis said.
``I'm going to say that, there's no reason why, and that's what I really
do think inside of me, and I've got
to go out there and prove it to everyone and to myself.''
The 21-year-old Australian, who served 21 aces and capitalized on 22
double-faults by Kafelnikov, said
he's in better shape, weighs less and credits some of his success to
a new-look, shorter haircut.
``I don't know if it helped,'' he said. ``I just went to a hairdresser
and I said do whatever you want, and
this is what he did.''
Kafelnikov just looked perplexed.
``I felt quite good, I felt all right,'' he said. ``It was one of those
days where you have no luck on your
side. That is how I can explain it to you.''
The Australian, who faces American Alex O'Brien in the second round,
took a shot at Australia's Davis
Cup coach John Newcombe, who suggested he take six months off.
``How is his comment looking now?'' said Philippoussis, who has had
a running feud with Newcombe.
``That's the way to put it.''
He also paid tribute to his father Nick, who is fighting cancer, but
made the trip to Centre Court to
watch him play.
``He doesn't like traveling,'' Philippoussis said. ``He just comes to
this tournament, maybe the U.S.
Open, some big tournaments, but the guy just loves the game. He just
loves, you know, seeing his son
play tennis, and that brings a lot of happiness and makes me feel relaxed
on the court.''