Philippoussis Finds Roach Spray at ATP 's-Hertogenbosch

Posted on June 15, 2005

Maligned Aussie Mark Philippoussis put behind him doubts about his training regimen, motivation, and a host of injuries to serve his way to an opening-round win Tuesday at the ATP stop in 's-Hertogenbosch, with the wildcard entrant upsetting No. 7-seeded Belgian Christophe "The Roach" Rochus 6-3, 7-6(8) to advance into the second round.

"The first match is always the toughest with new surroundings," Philippoussis said. "I haven't played here for close to 10 years. I had a good rhythm on my serve but I didn't feel comfortable with my movement. I was just happy to get through."

No. 6 seed Andrei Pavel was another upset victim Tuesday, ousted by grasscourt veteran Jonas Bjorkman, while No. 3 Mario Ancic became the lone seeded winner on the day with a likewise straight-set win over Dutch qualifier Paul Logtens.

Other un-seeds into the second round were homecountry favorite Sjeng Schalken (d. Phau), Italian David Sanguinetti (d. Kucera), Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (d.(Q) Klein, bagel in the first), and Frenchman Julien Benneteau (d. (Q) Petzschner).

Scheduled for Wednesday in the land of wooden shoes are (1) Robredo vs. Burgsmuller, Hernych vs. (2) Guillermo "El Mago" Coria, (5) Soderling vs. Kohlschreiber, and Llodra vs. (8) Mathieu in an all-French.