Rafter Win Puts Defending Champions Out

Pat Rafter ensured that the defending champion Cedric Pioline would not figure in the final this year after a 6-4, 6-4 win on the Australian’s debut at the AEGON Masters Tennis tournament in London.

Rafter thrilled fans with a net-rushing masterclass, and showed that he has a sense of humour by asking spectators on the front row which way his opponent would serve.

For the Australian, who last played a match in England in the 2001 Wimbledon final, it was a special day. “It was a great experience,” he said. “I was a little nervous actually. I’ve always wanted to come here and play and I got that opportunity tonight and there was a great atmosphere out there so I really enjoyed the experience.”

Rafter was also relatively satisfied with his performance.

“I’m still volleying and serving ok, I’m just that half a step slower," he said. "I came up with a couple of shots today that I don’t normally play but I also hit about five forehands in the bottom of the net so that’s pretty typical of how I used to play!”

The Australian was also impressed with the event.

“It’s a good format they’ve got here. Everyone has a chance of getting through to the final and everyone’s pretty close actually. Cedric’s out now but he won it last year so now it’s down to the three of us.”

Mark Philippoussis had a less enjoyable first experience, losing in a final set Champions’ Tie-break to Greg Rusedski. The ‘Scud’ thought that he had found the measure of his opponent when he won the second set tie-break to level, but Rusedski raced into an 8-0 lead in the decider. After that, Philippoussis was happy just to get on the board and he eventually went down 10-3.

The round-robin nature of the event means that Philippoussis can still qualify for the final, but with Pioline having already lost to Pat Cash, his hopes have been extinguished.

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