Philippoussis Beats McEnroe in Boston
May 3, 2010
BOSTON — Mark Philippoussis staved off John McEnroe 6-3, 4-6, 10-5 (Champions Tie-breaker) Sunday to win the $150,000 Staples Champions Cup for his first career title on the Champions Series circuit, the global tennis circuit for champion tennis players age 30 and over.
Phillippoussis, 33, earned $60,000 for the title as well as 800 ranking points to become the new Champions Series points leader for 2010.
Philippoussis cruised to a 5-0 lead out of the gate before McEnroe was able to get on the scoreboard. After McEnroe threatened to make the first set competitive by winning three games in a row, Philippoussis served out the set on his second opportunity. McEnroe jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second set, showing the spirit and fire that carried him into his fifth decade of competitive tennis. Philippoussis hung tough and connected on some blazing groundstroke winners — mixed with a few untimely McEnroe unforced errors — to break back in the seventh game of the second set. After each player then held their serve, McEnroe broke Philippoussis to win the second set 6-4, punctuated with a forehand volley winner, followed by a forceful fist-pump and scream of approval.
“I was getting blown out,” said McEnroe. “I wanted to show that I have been playing well and hopefully if I could get it going. I felt that I had a chance at the end.
The turning point, he said, was the fumbled half-volley he dribbled into the net at 4-4 in Champions Tie-breaker.
“I had one bad point at four all,” said McEnroe. “I hesitated a little bit and the next thing you know it’s 8-4. I felt like I played well and it wasn’t like I was playing badly.”
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