Tennis: Philippoussis backs out of Heineken

Mark Philippoussis

A bad back will prevent Mark Philippoussis taking his place in this week's Heineken Open, removing a certain element of mystique from New Zealand's showpiece event.

The Australian, and former world top 10 player, informed the organisers of his non-appearance only an hour before the draw was made yesterday. He injured his back playing doubles on Friday in Adelaide and didn't feel he'd be in shape to do himself justice in Auckland. With the Scud not coming, it opened the door for a lucky loser to make it through from qualifying and take the honour of playing defending champion and No 1 seed Fernando Gonzalez.

One man more than pleased to avoid Gonzalez was Scotland's Andy Murray. The Scot wants to push into the world's top 20 this season and feels it would be best to avoid the favourite and some of his fellow countrymen until the latter stages.

"I would like to win three matches before I go to the Australian Open. I have pushed on to final set matches against most of the players in the top 20, so I don't fear anyone. But there are some players I would like to avoid," Murray said.

"Gonzalez is always very difficult to play against. And a few of the other Spanish guys, at this stage of the season, are hitting so many balls and are always in good shape."

Murray normally has a secondary incentive at most tournaments and that is to better the achievements of his coach Mark Petchey - a former ATP player himself.

That incentive will not be on the table in Auckland as Petchey never made it through qualifying when he played here.

"We have a competition with each other to see where I can outdo him. I have reached my first ATP final and he only made the semifinals. He never got past the third round at Wimbledon and I have reached the third round of Wimbledon. I am always trying to go one better so I can give him some gyp."

Should Murray beat Kenneth Carlsen in the first round, he will probably find himself up against number five seed Mario Ancic.

Ancic, who played a crucial role in Croatia's recent Davis Cup victory, has been tasked with denting local hopes after being drawn against New Zealand's Mark Nielsen.

On hearing about his opponent, Neilsen said: "Obviously he is a big guy with a big game. He's had a lot of success lately with the Davis Cup but you don't know if he's going to play up or down."

The other New Zealander in the main draw is Daniel King-Turner, who faces Germany's Florian Mayer.

But the focus will never stray far from Gonzalez, the class act in the field. The Chilean grew from his win in New Zealand last year and went on to enjoy one of his best seasons.

He finished 2005 ranked 11 in the world and made the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, where he lost to eventual winner Roger Federer.

He hits the ball with colossal force and as a consequence is more than comfortable on the hard courts at Stanley Street.

"Last year's tournament was great for me because it was the first hardcourt tournament I won," said Gonzalez. "I had a lot of confidence at the beginning of the year.

"I have a lot of respect for every tournament. I hit every shot as hard as I can. I enjoy that kind of game.

"I had a good year last year, starting at this tournament, and hopefully I can repeat that this year."


- HERALD ON SUNDAY