Rusedski knocked out of Sydney International

Greg Rusedski was knocked out of the Sydney International today by home favourite Mark Philippoussis.

Greg Rusedski was knocked out of the Sydney International today by home favourite Mark Philippoussis.

Rusedski, at the centre of a drugs storm after admitting he had tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone, pushed the Australian all the way before falling 6-3 1-6 6-4.

Philippoussis, runner-up at Wimbledon last year, rode his booming serve to take the first set but lost his rhythm in the wind as Rusedski fought back to level the match.

The fourth seed saved two break points in the ninth game of the deciding set and then broke Rusedski in the next game to seal victory. Philippoussis will play French Open finalist Martin Verkerk in tomorrow's quarter-finals after the Dutchman beat Max Mirnyi of Belarus 6-7 7-6 7-6 in a tight scrap.

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Philippoussis's win capped a good day for Australia after former world number one Lleyton Hewitt defeated Karol Kucera 6-4 6-1 after trailing the Slovakian 4-0 in the first set. Sydney teenager Todd Reid also continued his great form this season to beat Felix Mantilla of Spain 6-4 6-1.

The Spanish will at least be guaranteed one player in the semi-finals after Carlos Moya and Tommy Robredo both won to set up a meeting in the next round. Moya beat Michael Llodra of France 7-6 6-3 while Robredo upset Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan, the fifth seed, 4-6 6-1