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2nd April, 2000 I'll play singles if Newk asks me PLAYING Davis Cup singles against Germany is not my preference, but I'd be prepared to do it if was needed. At this stage Mark Philippoussis is trying to get himself fit after injuring his calf, and we've also got the option of using Wayne Arthurs, so I'm a fair way from being selected for singles. But if Newk (captain John Newcombe) and Rochey (coach Tony Roche) think I'm ready to play singles, then it would become an option. My shoulder has improved probably 50 per cent over the past week and everything feels a lot better. The shoulder lasts longer without feeling weak, the endurance is better and I'm able to bounce back each day. The main thing is that I'm starting to have good days now. Ever since the operation I've thought of the shoulder on a day-to-day basis, now it's more week-to-week. I saw physiotherapist Lyn Watson in Melbourne on Friday after flying in with Philippoussis and she was really happy with the way the muscles have developed in the joint. The way the muscles have built up around the shoulder means if I have problems in the future, it's not going to be a tear again. It's going to be more of an overuse thing which I can pick up on before it becomes a major problem. It's still a matter of being careful with the shoulder and looking after it properly, but I feel a lot more confident about it standing up under pressure. LLEYTON Hewitt continues to excel,so much so that he's now among the top two or three players in the world this year. He is just so solid and he does not miss. Not too many players are capable of doing that. Lleyton doesn't get intimidated by anybody and he uses what he's got incredibly well. At this stage, he lacks only power and strength. That will come with time and when it does, he's going to be even harder to beat. NOBODY should underestimate Germany and certainly none of the players are taking them lightly. We also know that Lleyton is going to be coming in late to Adelaide, so there will be some hurdles for us to get over. It's a bonus not to have to worry about Tommy Haas, who has pulled out with a hip injury. Haas has a tremendous Davis Cup record (9-1) and he's shown that he can lift for the big occasion, so it gives us a distinct advantage to have him missing. David Prinosil can be dangerous, but he has got nervous on big occasions in the past. We are definitely the favorites, but we're going to have to go really hard to win this. |