SportsLine wire reports

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Mark Philippoussis was the local boy out to prove he deserved the same respect as Australia's Mr. Nice Guy, Patrick Rafter.

And American Michael Chang was out to prove that at 26 he had the goods to break back into the world's top 10.

At the end of a three-hour 42-minute marathon of slugging and chasing, it was Philippoussis who triumphed 7-6, 2-6, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 in the second round of the Australian Open.

The 14th seed, who lost to Rafter in last year's U.S. Open final, thrilled a packed Centre Court as he blasted his way past Chang, the 1989 French Open champion and a runner-up in Melbourne three years ago.

"Today is not an easy loss to take," said Chang, who chased down every ball and managed some stunning returns of serve.

IT WAS NOT HIS SUPREME FITNESS which failed him on the day. He never tired as he was run from corner to corner and made several brilliant retrieves, including returning three smashes in a row.

"Physically speaking I felt really good out there," Chang said.

It was just that more of Philippoussis' rockets landed in than out during the gripping duel.

"He went for his shots and in the end the crucial ones went in or dribbled over," said Chang.

Philippoussis agreed that a few net cord balls which dropped into Chang's side of the court helped propel him to victory in the final set, which featured no breaks until the 11th game.

"I got a bit lucky at the end about the let cords, and, you know, that's tennis. That's what happens," said the Australian.

Philippoussis sent down a barrage of 20 aces and a pile of service winners, and when he failed to win a point with his serve, he often drilled in a cracking volley.

THE AMERICAN TERRIER WAS unable to come through with essential breaks except in the second set, when loose shots by Philippoussis handed him two games.

"It was hard sometimes to be aggressive on his serves," said Chang. "Being on the defensive all the time from the start on the serve, it was hard to switch it around just for that right shot."

Philippoussis said he had grown up enough to win a five-set marathon and not let his guard down for the next match, unlike in 1996, when he upset world number one Pete Sampras then lost to Australian doubles guru Mark Woodforde.

"I feel mature enough and have enough experience," said the young man with a taste for fast cars. "That match has gone now, and I'm concentrating on the next one."

Philippoussis clearly did not let his coach Pat Cash's careless words in an interview this week about his uneasy relationship with Australian Davis Cup coach John Newcombe, another local icon, distract him on court.

CASH CHOSE THE FIRST DAY of the tournament to reopen old wounds caused by Philippoussis' refusal to play in a Davis Cup tie against Zimbabwe last year.

The 1987 Wimbledon champion said his charge had no respect for Davis Cup coach John Newcombe, but Philippoussis will nevertheless play for Australia in the Davis Cup later this year.

Philippoussis said he was focused only on winning his third round match against 89th ranked Jan Kroslak of Slovakia, and was not looking ahead to a the fourth round, where he could face Rafter in a U.S. Open final replay.

"I feel like I'm hitting the ball well and I just feel confident," said Philippoussis.