Delray Beach International Tennis Championships
Philippoussis powers his way to Delray Champions title
Mark Philippoussis serving against Aaron Krickstein Tuesday night at the Delray Beach ITC.
By David Sedore, Palm Beach Business.com
DELRAY BEACH — With serves regularly touching 130 mph, Mark Philippoussis literally blew away Boca Raton’s Aaron Krickstein 6-3, 6-2 Tuesday evening to win the ATP Champions tournament in Delray Beach.
Krickstein had the backing of the fans, including daughter Jade and wife Bianca, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Philippoussis, who at 34 is nine years younger and who had the added advantage of having Monday off. Krickstein had to beat John McEnroe Monday night to qualify for the tournament finals.
“I didn’t have my legs,” Krickstein said. “But I don’t think it made a difference the way Mark was playing.”
Said Philippoussis: “I think I played my best match. I felt good. I was moving good. It’s always nice when your game comes together like that.”
For Philippoussis, a former Delray Beach resident, the tournament was a step toward his ultimate goal of getting back on the ATP tour.
“I felt good this week,” Philippoussis said. “I know I’m younger than these guys. Am I expected to win, I guess I am, without sounding arrogant.
“Physically, if I can get out and play, I know I can compete. I’m going to have a go at it and enjoy it.”
Also Tuesday evening in ATP World Tour play, Argentine Juan Martin del Potro defeated Lithuanian Richard Berankis 6-4, 6-1. Del Potro, who defeated Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in consecutive matches to win the 2009 U.S. Open, simply overpowerd Berankis.
In doubles play, the team of Ashley Fisher and Stephen Huss defeated Jack Sock and Donald Young 6-3, 4-6 (10-7).
The Delray Beach International Tennis Championships continue Wednesday, highlighted by a second-round match between No. 3 seed Sam Querrey and qualifier Ryan Sweeting at 12:30 p.m. James Blake and Kei Nishikori meet at 7:15 p.m. in a rematch of the 2008 Delray Beach ITC final. Nishikori defeated the top-seeded Blake in three sets.
Mark Philippoussis and Aaron Krickstein with their trophies.
