'The scud' is back in business

Philippoussis beat his compatriot Wayne Arthurs

Australia's Mark Philippoussis showed his Davis Cup team mate Wayne Arthurs no mercy when he beat him 6-3 7-5 on Tuesday in the first round of the Stella Artois Championships.

The 11th seed and former champion dominated his compatriot in the first clash between the pair.

Arthurs did match the big-serving Philippoussis's ace count with both notching up 12 each.

But Philippoussis, the 1997 champion, was the steadier on the big points.

Specialist

Philippoussis, nick-named The Scud, will now play another big-server and grass court specialist, Goran Ivanisevic, whom he beat in the final to clinch the title at Queen's club three years ago.

Earlier, American David Wheaton beat Sweden's Andreas Vinciguerra 6-3 6-2 while France's Anthony Dupuis beat Swede Magnus Gustafsson 4-6 6-3 6-4 to set up a second round match with top seed Andre Agassi.

The match is a replay of the French Open first round which Agassi won.

After that match a star-struck Dupuis told Agassi he had waited 10 years to play him. He may not be so pleased to have drawn the top seed so early again this time.