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Olivier Rochus

52K views 634 replies 76 participants last post by  Filo V. 
#1 ·
article from the Courier, an Australian newspaper:


Three weeks off but Scud still playing like he's on holidays
Tennis

Wednesday, 3 March 2004

Mark Philippoussis found a three-week break from tournaments had failed to restore his winning form as he lost in the first round of the Dubai Open yesterday.

Philippoussis was playing his first match since losing heavily in both his Davis Cup singles matches in Australia's first-round loss to Sweden in Adelaide last month.
He was beaten 6-2, 7-6 by Belgium's Olivier Rochus.
Afterwards, Philippoussis said his treatment by the Australian media since the Davis Cup had made him consider leaving the game, but only briefly.

"For a split second I wanted to get out of the game and then I woke up and came to my senses and realised that that's what I do," he said.
However, he said the media attention had forced him to flee to Los Angeles after the Davis Cup defeat, where he joined girlfriend Delta Goodrem.
"It was a pretty tough month for me in January, pretty hectic and very frustrating because I love Australia, I love my country so much, and these things happen and make you just want to get away and leave your country to get away from something like that," he said. "When you're put under a microscope like that 24-7, on and off the court, it's very tough.
"I'm a very private person. When I'm on the court, I do my best and give 110 per cent. When I'm off the court, I'm a young guy trying to live my life."
Philippoussis had his chances in Dubai, but paid the ultimate penalty when he missed a set point in the second set.

Standing 30cm taller than Rochus, Philippoussis had a great advantage in power, but was unable to impose it upon the shortest man on the tour.
Rochus returned Philippoussis's famous serve superbly in the first set, but the second depended on a tight tie-break in which the Aussie seemed to be escaping from trouble when he led by seven points to six. But when he advanced to the net behind a faded forehand, Rochus covered the width of the court and struck a wonderful backhand pass cross-court.

Three points later Philippoussis mistimed an ambitious backhand to concede a mini-break and Rochus closed it out with a tidy second serve which Philippoussis failed to return.
"It's just great," Rochus said. "I knew I had to make him run. He has a very good serve and I had to return as many balls as possible, try to get into the rallies and make him move. It worked."


Meanwhile, Tim Henman went from defeating the world No1 Roger Federer in his last tournament to losing 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) to a man ranked 149 in the world, Tomas Zib. The British No1 tried to impose an attacking game at every opportunity, but found the Czech qualifier resilient in slowish night conditions.

The key moments came after Henman had broken serve to lead 2-1 in the final set, but was unable to consolidate. By the tie-breaker Henman was under the greater pressure and mini-breaks in the third and the seventh points were enough to see the man from Prague go through.
 
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#6 ·
I think most players don't like to lose against a 'little' guy. Especially thos tall guys like Safin,...
I think that's quite amusing, actually! :p
(And those big guys also seem to forget that Ollie is one of the best returners in the game! That's why he often plays those good matches against big servers I think.)

I'm sure his height is a disadvantage for some things (especially his serve), but it makes him very fast and moveable on the other hand...
 
#7 ·
well, i think for his height and also for a 6' player hes serving great. I mean, big guys, there are a few who dont serve well or only play good because of their height. if they wherent such tall and smaller like rochus, they wouldnt play tennis as well as olli. hes so talented and a good player!
 
#12 ·
Oli is a little boy but a great player :D !
 
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#17 ·
aah what a guy! what a player! what a cutie! (sorry, I just had to say this! lol) :D
He did a great job in the olympics. Beating Philippoussis! his match against Moya was not that great (the first set I mean!) but Moya still is number 4 in the rankings.
Gooo Oli!
 
#20 ·
Oh, yeah, he deserve it!!!! :hearts:
 
#22 ·
Oli and Xavier qualify for TMC doubles at Houston :yeah:
 
#24 ·
:angel:
 

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