Aug. 28, 1999
SportsLine wire reports

FLUSHING, N.Y. -- Less than a year after reaching the final of the U.S. Open, Australia's Mark Philippoussis withdrew from tennis' final Grand Slam of the year with a left knee injury, tournament officials announced Saturday.

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Philippoussis suffered the injury during his quarterfinal match against Pete Sampras in Wimbledon in June. After resting for about six weeks, he returned at the RCA Championships two weeks ago but lost to Frenchman Arnaud Di Pasquale in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.

Still feeling pain in his knee, Philippoussis pulled out of this week's Hamlet Cup in Long Island. He will be unable to play at Flushing Meadow, where last year he reached a Grand Slam final for the first time in his career, losing to countryman Patrick Rafter.

Philippoussis was seeded No. 11 at the U.S. Open. Spain's Felix Mantilla becomes the 17th seed and will take Philippoussis' spot in the draw, opening against Sweden's Magnus Norman.

In the first all-Australian U.S. Open men's final since 1970, Rafter defeated Philippoussis, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, to defend his title.

Philippoussis has won two tournaments this season, both on hard courts, and currently is ranked No. 11 in the world.

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