Philippoussis next for troubled Rusedski

Greg Rusedski will face Australian Mark Philippoussis in the second round of the adidas International in Sydney in what will be a battle of thundering serves.

Philippoussis dropped the second set but powered past Spain’s Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-4 5-7 6-2 in front of a vociferous crowd on centre court at the Sydney International Tennis Centre.

Not always the darling of the Australian tennis public, Philippoussis is now an entrenched favourite after his heroics in the Davis Cup, where he played through the pain barrier to beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in five sets and secure Australia the trophy.

Rusedski had his fair share of encouraging support when he took the court yesterday – a surprise to some given his admission last week that he had tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone – but it will be very different against Philippoussis.

“I am sure there’s going to be British people out there, the British public has been fantastic here but obviously the Australian crowd is going to be behind their man, that’s only normal,” he said.

“They’re going to be behind him from the first ball to the last ball, and I wouldn’t expect otherwise.

“But I think they have the knowledge and the courtesy to realise that it will be a fantastic match.

“I think the Australian crowd has a good knowledge of tennis. The tennis public are a very knowledgeable people.”

Philippoussis refused to enter into the debate over Rusedski’s positive test but he insisted after today’s win that the controversy will mean nothing when the two square up over the net.

“What happens off the court, I’m not really interested in,” he said.

“I’m a tennis player, professional tennis player and I’m just going out to do my job.

“I have too many things to worry about in my life to look at anyone else. Everyone is in charge of their own actions, so you’ve got to face those consequences, whatever they are.”

Philippoussis beat Rusedski the last time the pair met, at Queens in 2002, in three tiebreakers, but earlier that year the British number two won at the Australian Open.

“It’s going to be top fun, no doubt about that,” said Philippoussis.

“I’m 3-2 down (in meetings) but tomorrow’s a new day, try and make it 3-3.

“I know exactly what his game is, he’s going to be serve and volleying pretty much first and second serve, chip and charging when he can and getting to the net whenever possible.

“I really want to take it to him.”