Mark Philippoussis, current ATP Champions Tour #1, topped a valiant performance from the former ATP World #1 Carlos Moya. In a close match, Philippoussis and Moya exchanged sets to go the distance for a third set super tie break with Philippoussis taking the title 7-5, 6-7(4), 10-4.
The two had previously met 6 times while on the ATP Tour (split wins 3 and 3), however; this was the first time they had met on the Champions Tour. This marked the third time the two had met on the clay, with Moya taking both the previous meetings in France. Moya, known for his clay court performances, taking the French Open Trophy in 1998, looked a little uncomfortable on the clay against the heavy hitting Aussie. He seemed to have a hard time finding his feet on the court. Philippoussis found his range early on in the final, and took his foot off the gas just enough for Moya to close the second set tie break. Philippoussis took early command in the super tie-break getting a mini-break early in the Spaniards service.
The win for Philippoussis is the third win in a row for the former World #8. Philippoussis has had big wins over some of the games greatest champions; Wilander, Krickstein, Ivanisevic, Muster, Sampras, and Henman. Philippoussis remains at the top of the ATP Champions Tour rankings, at #1.
Can this be a precursor for an ATP run for Philippoussis? He did talk about making it back to the ATP Tour this year.
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