Philippoussis cruises into quarter-finals

NEW YORK, July 13 (Reuters) Former Wimbledon and U.S. Open finalist Mark Philippoussis of Australia eased past South African Rik de Voest 6-3 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the rain-hit Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.

Only three matches were completed at the grass court event before rain swept across Newport, Rhode Island forcing an early end to play yesterday.

Among the matches postponed was a second-round clash between top seed Andrew Murray of Britain and American Sam Querrey.

Philippoussis showed no signs of the knee problems that have limited him to 13 matches and eight tournaments this season as he swept to another convincing straight sets win.

Showing flashes of his former-top 10 form, Philippoussis advanced to his first quarter-final appearance this season without having dropped a game on his serve, fighting off three break points against de Voest.

The big-serving Australian did not face a break point in his first round victory over American Paul Goldstein.

American wild card Robert Kendrick, who squandered a two-sets lead against Rafael Nadal in the second round at Wimbledon two weeks ago, continued his impressive grass court run with a tidy 6-4 6-2 triumph over Russian Igor Kunitsyn.

Sixth-seed Jurgen Melzer of Austria also advanced battling past Canadian Frank Dancevic 6-4 3-6 6-4 to reach his fourth quarter-final of the year.

Reuters PM DB0907