Nalbandian sweeps aside Philippoussis, Argentina lead 1-0

BUENOS AIRES, Sep 22 (Reuters) World number four David Nalbandian swept aside Mark Philippoussis as Argentina drew first blood in their Davis Cup semi-final against Australia today.

Nalbandian demolished Philippoussis 6-4 6-3 6-3 in two hours three minutes in the opening rubber of the tie watched by a 14,000 crowd including Diego Maradona, garbed in dark glasses and an Argentina soccer shirt.

''It was a very comfortable match,'' Nalbandian told Argentine television immediately after coming off court.

Philippoussis, playing his first match on red clay for more than two years and returning to Davis Cup action for the first time in two-and-a-half years, looked edgy from the outset.

He was quickly in trouble when he double-faulted on break point to drop his serve in the seventh game of the first set.

Nalbandian also swept through the second set, breaking in the third and ninth games and wrapping it up thanks to another unforced error from his opponent, who over hit a drive from the baseline.

The match briefly came to life when Philippoussis broke serve in the fourth game of the third set, at one stage volleying the ball straight at Nalbandian who tumbled over backwards as he ducked out of the way.

Nalbandian broke back immediately and upped the provocation by shouting at his opponent after beating him with a neat drop shot at the net.

Nalbandian then laughed mockingly when Philippoussis over-hit an easy drive to hand the Argentine match point and finished the rubber off at the first attempt.

REUTERS MS MIR RAI2202