Australia's Philippoussis injured at Hopman Cup; Russia beats U.S. 2-1
January 2, 2007

PERTH, Australia (AP) -- Mark Philippoussis could miss the Australian Open after he was forced to retire from a men's singles match at the Hopman Cup on Tuesday with a hyperextended knee.

The Australian, playing Jerome Haehnel of France, injured his knee with Haehnel a point away from taking a 3-1 lead in the first set. After receiving treatment during an injury time-out, Philippoussis lost the next point without even attempting to return the Frenchman's serve.

He retired with the knee injury trailing 4-1 in the first set.

Hopman Cup tournament director Paul McNamee said Philippoussis would undergo an MRI scan Wednesday, but said the injury was a major blow and confirmed that Philippoussis will miss the rest of the Hopman Cup.

"It is not good, he is hurting pretty bad and he is struggling," McNamee said.

Philippoussis could miss the Australian Open beginning Jan. 15 in Melbourne, where he was expected to receive a wild card.

"That has to be a genuine risk, he is shattered and he is pretty pessimistic about how he is feeling," said McNamee.

In other action, Russia beat the United States 2-1 when Nadia Petrova and Dmitry Tursunov beat Ashley Harkleroad and Mardy Fish 6-3, 7-5.

Russia took a 1-0 lead with Petrova defeating Harkleroad 6-3, 6-0.

Fish beat Tursunov 6-1, 6-4 to tie the score at 1-1 before the Russians won the doubles match. Fish had 13 aces, including four in a row to clinch the first set.