Philippoussis sees off Verkerk

First round result:

M Philippoussis (Aus) 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 M Verkerk (Ned)

Unseeded home favourite Mark Philippoussis has beaten Martin Verkerk in four sets at the Rod Laver Arena.

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Game-by-game updates:

Fourth set

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 Verkerk
This time Philippoussis makes no mistake, despite a double fault at match point. But an ace next point seals his passage to the second round.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 5-3 Verkerk
A deft stop-volley gives the Aussie a timely break point, and having held his own for much of the set, Verkerk cracks at the vital moment, sending a wild backhand wide.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 4-3 Verkerk
The crowd cheers another game for Philippoussis - they know he doesn't want to be taken to a fifth set. But Verkerk seems to have other ideas...

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 3-3 Verkerk
Verkerk is looking more confident on his serve.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 3-2 Verkerk
Philippoussis manages to hold, but his early spark has definitely evaporated.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 2-2 Verkerk
The Dutchman is certainly putting up a good fight.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 2-1 Verkerk
It's on serve early in the fourth, but Philippoussis is certainly struggle to close the match out.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 1-1 Verkerk
Verkerk responds in kind.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 1-0 Verkerk
Philippoussis tries to get back on track with a confident start to the fourth set.

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Third set

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) Verkerk
Tie-break: A sixth double fault from Philippoussis gives Verkerk a chance to steal the set... and he does just that, winning the tie-breaker 7-5.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 6-6 Verkerk
It's tie-break time as Philippoussis wins his service game easily.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 5-6 Verkerk
Verkerk continues to hold his nerve to move ahead once again.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 5-5 Verkerk
The home favourite notches his 14th ace as things continue on serve.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 4-5 Verkerk
An impressive game for the Dutchman which he takes to love. But can he make any impression on his opponent's booming deliveries?

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 4-4 Verkerk
Philippoussis duly holds, and the ball is back in Verkerk's court.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 4-3 Verkerk
More break points for Philippoussis, but he can't covert them. Verkerk hangs on... this time.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 3-3 Verkerk
A brutal service game from the Scud, his third to love in the match so far.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 2-3 Verkerk
Verkerk clings on despite break points against him.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 2-2 Verkerk
A deft top-spin ob on the run gives Verkerk two break points at 15-40, but he cannot capitalise. Will that he his last chance to get a foothold in the match?

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 1-2 Verkerk
A more routine service game for Verkerk this time round.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 1-1 Verkerk
A swift response from the Scud - he holds to love.

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 0-1 Verkerk
The longest game of the match so far, featuring several deuces and one stunning rally which Philippoussis eventually wins. However, it's ultimately not enough as the Dutchman just manages to hold.

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Second set

Philippoussis 6-4 6-4 Verkerk
A neat backhand volley gives Philippoussis two set points, and he only needs one thunderous serve to take it 6-4.

Philippoussis in solid form at the net

Philippoussis 6-4 5-4 Verkerk
Just as in the first set, the home favourite breaks in the ninth game. This time, Verkerk makes the crucial error, sending a forehand just long.

Philippoussis 6-4 4-4 Verkerk
No problems for Philippoussis in the eighth game, and it's still on serve.

Philippoussis 6-4 3-4 Verkerk
Some big serves help Verkerk hold as the pressure mounts in the second set.

Philippoussis 6-4 3-3 Verkerk
An easy hold for the Aussie.

Philippoussis 6-4 2-3 Verkerk
The first love game of the match goes the way of the Dutchman.

Philippoussis 6-4 2-2 Verkerk
Philippoussis survives two break points to level things up.

Philippoussis 6-4 1-2 Verkerk
More powerful forehands on show, especially from Verkerk to cheer the colourful Dutch support in the crowd.

Philippoussis 6-4 1-1 Verkerk
The 'Scud' is yet to face a break point on his own serve.

Philippoussis 6-4 0-1 Verkerk
Verkerk nets twice from 40-0 but finds a forehand winner to take the opening game of the second set.

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First set

Philippoussis 6-4 Verkerk
The first set goes to the Aussie with his fourth ace of the match.

Philippoussis 5-4 Verkerk
A fine forehand winner and a Verkerk double fault give Phillippoussis a chance. And he duly breaks by carrying out two 'chip and charge' ploys to perfection.

Philippoussis 4-4 Verkerk
Philippoussis looks solid as a rock at the net as he holds to 15.

Philippoussis 3-4 Verkerk
Verkerk is serving extremely well early on, and seems relatively untroubled so far.

Philippoussis 3-3 Verkerk
A ripping Philippoussis forehand helps him to another comfortable game.

Philippoussis 2-3 Verkerk
It's seven aces now for Verkerk as the first set proceeds with serve.

Philippoussis 2-2 Verkerk
A routine hold for the Aussie.

Philippoussis 1-2 Verkerk
Verkerk survives two break points, and eventually holds with his third ace so far.

Philippoussis 1-1 Verkerk
Philippoussis holds comfortably enough, but his serve isn't firing on all cyclinders just yet.

Philippoussis 0-1 Verkerk
The opening game goes with serve, with the crowd still digesting Jennifer Capriati's shock exit just minutes earlier.