GERMAN Nicolas Kiefer will have to find a way to spike the booming service game of big-hitting Australian Mark Philippoussis if he is to carry any hopes of winning the Salem Open final at Victoria Park today.
An awesome task. As fellow pin-up boy Patrick Rafter found out yesterday when he was bumped out in the semi-finals, losing 7-6 (7-2), 6-4. Philippoussis fired in 14 aces to snuff out his compatriot's chances of winning his first Hong Kong title in five attempts.
'He served very well. He was sharp today and I didn't get too many opportunities,' said Rafter after the all-Australian battle. 'He played consistently while I felt a little bit flat today.'
It was the first time that Philippoussis had beaten him. And by the look of things, it won't be the last either.
'It feels good to beat him. I have great respect for Patrick, especially as a player. I had a game plan and I felt confident out there,' said Philippoussis.
Nicknamed 'Scud' for obvious reasons, Philippoussis has rifled in a total of 61 aces in his four-match progress into the final. It is a pity the centre court does not have a speed gun to measure the velocity of his serves as at past tournaments.