Philippoussis Tops Chang In Finals

Mark Philippoussis spoiled Michael Chang’s 26th birthday, beating the defending champion 6-3, 6-2 Sunday to capture the St. Jude indoor tournament in Memphis, Tenn.

“It was his birthday, and I didn’t want to be the first to give him a birthday present,” said Philippoussis, who hadn’t beaten Chang in four previous matches.

Philippoussis, seeded fourth and ranked 16th on the ATP Tour, kept the second seed scrambling as he mixed powerful groundstrokes with a big serve.

The Australian finished him off in 1 hour, 19 minutes for his fifth career victory and first since the Queen’s tournament last June.

Britain’s Greg Rusedski beat defending champion Marc Rosset of Switzerland 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the final of the $1 million European Community Championship in Antwerp, Belgium.

Unseeded Swiss teenager Patty Schnyder fought off two match points and upset top-seeded Jana Novotna 6-0, 2-6, 7-5 to win the Faber Grand Prix in Hanover, Germany.