Tournament drawcard Anna Kournikova and top seed Julie Halard-Decugis were both beaten Wednesday at the Australian women’s hardcourt tennis championships. He led Australia to victory over France in the 1999 final in December.The 23-year-old from Melbourne faces a grueling schedule in the next few weeks, defending his Hopman Cup title in Perth, playing an exhibition event next week, and then competing in the Australian Open.The Davis Cup tie in Zurich follows a few days later, and Philippoussis is set to defend his San Jose title in California immediately after that.”In an Olympic year and with the demands of the ATP Tour, it could be expected that anyone could miss a round,” Hopper said.. To do that, and compete in the Olympics, he will not be aelf unavailable in 1998 because of a dispute with national coach Tony Roche. Australia’s Davis Cup hero Mark Philippoussis is likely to miss the country’s first-round match in Switzerland next month when it begins defence of its 1999 title. Australia’s Davis Cup hero Mark Philippoussis is likely to miss the country’s first-round match in Switzerland next month when it begins defence of its 1999 title.
With former world No.

1 Patrick Rafter doubtful as he recovers from shoulder surgery, the defending champions may have to rely on the less-experienced pairing of LLeyton Hewitt and Andrew Ilie.Doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge has been struggling, and his veteran partner Mark Woodforde stated after December’s final that he would now step aside for younger members to join the team.”The decision hasn’t been rubber-stamped yet and Mark is still having talks with (captain) John Newcombe, but I’d say it was doubtful that Mark will play,” said his fitness trainer, Gavin Hopper.”He would love to play in the Davis Cup this year, and he will, but he also wants to make sure he has a good year on the ATP Tour. Jan-Michael Gambill, United States, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.Nicolas Escude (8) France, def Slava Dosedel, Czech Republic, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.. Roger Federer, Switzerland, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.Tim Henman (2), Britain, def. Jean-Rene Lisnard, France 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.Sebastien Grosjean (7), France, def.

Third-seeded Magnus Norman of Sweden had some early problems but rebounded for a 7-5, 6-4 win over Australian Richard Fromberg at the AAPT hardcourt tennis championships.
In another match, Albert Martin of Spain beat Australian James Sekulov 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-5).Fresh from a strong 1999 in which he rose to world No.15, Norman broke Fromberg’s serve in the opening game and took the first set in blustery conditions at Memorial Drive.The big-serving Australian looked ready to take the upper hand in the second set when Norman was 15-40 down on serve at 2-3, but the Swede showed great fortitude to save the break points and win the game.Fromberg made a critical error in the next game when he double faulted with Norman holding the advantage at deuce to give Norman the vital break.Norman said he took a psychological edge into the match, having beaten the Australian the last three times they met.He will now face Martin in the quarter-finals on Friday and rates his next competitor as a tough opponent who plays fast and likes to put topspin on his forehand.”His game doesn’t suit me very well, if I’m going to win that one I have to play better than today,” Norman said.Results at the $350,000 AAPT hardcourt tennis championships at Memorial Drive (number in brackets denotes seeding):Second RoundThomas Enqvist (1), Sweden, def. Third-seeded Magnus Norman of Sweden had some early problems but rebounded for a 7-5, 6-4 win over Australian Richard Fromberg at the AAPT hardcourt tennis championships. I’m feeling very good about it,” said the 19-year-old who is on her way to Melbourne to defend her Grand Slam title later this month.”I want to win more Grand Slam titles. This is my sixth year on the circuit and I will try to win as many tournaments as I can,” Hingis said.Last year, Hingis won seven titles including the Australian Open.Also playing in the eight-strong Hong Kong tournament are world No.