Tennis: Philippoussis holds on to Wimbledon dream

Former Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis wants to prove his worth at the Stella Artois Championships this week after the All England Club declined his request for a wildcard into the grasscourt grand slam.

"I got an email a couple days ago saying that I didn't get one," the Australian, who was runner-up to Roger Federer in 2003, told reporters today.

"You got to earn your wildcards and I've been very fortunate to have a lot and I know that.

"For me, I just need to play matches. I just want to concentrate on this tournament and take it a match at a time."

Philippoussis had won just three matches on the ATP tour this season before arriving at the Wimbledon warm-up tournament in west London.

On Wednesday, he almost doubled that tally when he won two singles encounters to reach the third round. It was the first time he had won back-to-back matches since last October.

The 1997 Queen's champion has had to contend with his fair share of injuries throughout his 12-year professional career and now aged 29, he is determined to make it into the main draw at Wimbledon.

"Whatever I have to do, whether I have to go out there and play quallies, win three matches, I've got to do that. It doesn't matter. It has to be done," he said.

Wimbledon begins on June 26.

RESULTS FROM STELLA ARTOIS TOURNAMENT AT QUEEN'S CLUB, LONDON:

First round: 11-Sebastien Grosjean (France) bt Ivo Minar (Czech Republic) 6-3 7-6 (7-4), Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia and Montenegro) bt Andy Murray (Britain) 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-2, Mark Philippoussis (Australia) bt Wesley Moodie (South Africa) 6-3 6-4, Yue-Tzoo Wang (Taiwan) bt Jonas Bjorkman (Sweden) 6-3 6-3, Max Mirnyi (Belarus) bt 10-Thomas Johansson (Sweden) 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 7-6 (7-4).

Second round: 3-Andy Roddick (US) bt Frank Dancevic (Canada) 2-6 6-4 6-3, Fernando Verdasco (Spain) bt Hyung Taik Lee (Korea) 6-2 5-7 6-4, 2-Ivan Ljubicic (Croatia) bt Razvan Sabau (Romania) 7-6 (8-6) 6-2, 1-Rafael Nadal (Spain) bt Mardy Fish (US) 7-6 (7-1) 6-1, 9-Robby Ginepri (US) bt Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia and Montenegro) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4, 13-Gael Monfils (France) bt Bobby Reynolds (US) 6-1 6-2, 16-Paradorn Srichaphan (Thailand) bt Yeu-Tzuoo Lu (Taiwan) 6-3 5-7 6-4, Fernando Verdasco (Spain) bt Hyung-taik Lee (Korea) 6-2 5-7 6-4, Tim Henman (Britain) bt Ramon Delgado (Paraguay) 6-2 6-4, 15-Dmitry Tursunov (Russia) bt Danai Udomchoke (Thailand) 6-3 2-6 6-2, Nicolas Mahut (France) bt 7-Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) 6-4 4-6 6-2, 8-Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) bt Fernando Vicente (Spain) 4-6 6-4 6-2, Mark Philippoussis (Australia) bt 11-Sebastien Grosjean (France) 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-3, Max Mirnyi (Berlarus) bt Daniele Bracciali (Italy) 6-1 6-3, Yeu-Tzuoo Wang (Taiwan) bt 4-Nikolay Davydenko (Russia) 2-6 6-3 6-1.

- REUTERS