Philippoussis out of India Davis Cup tie

Mark Philippoussis will be sidelined for two months because of a knee injury and has withdrawn from Australia's Davis Cup squad for the playoff tie against India, the former U.S. Open finalist said on Thursday.

Philippoussis, 25, damaged his left knee before retiring from his first round U.S. Open match against Sjeng Schalken on Tuesday.

Philippoussis had an MRI scan in Miami, Florida, which revealed his awkward landing after leaping in the air during the match against the Dutchman had hyper-extended his knee and caused significant bone bruising.

But Philippoussis said in a statement released by the U.S. Open that he did not need to undergo surgery on the left knee, which has already endured three operations since January 2000.

"I'm obviously upset at having the injury and that I will have to miss the Davis Cup tie in Adelaide (next month) and the upcoming tour events," Philippoussis said.

"I'm delighted that the injury is not as severe as I first thought and I will be able to continue to show improvement and get better in the future."

Philippoussis, a finalist in 1998, was leading Schalken two-sets-to-one when he quit the match.

The hero of Australia's 1999 Davis Cup final victory over France in Nice, Philippoussis had been set to make his return to the Australia team, ending an absence of more than two years.

The big-serving Australian, now based in Miami, has not played for his country since the first round tie against Switzerland in 2000, battling left knee problems and personality clashes with team officials.