Fired-up Greg loses his cool

BRITAIN'S Greg Rusedski almost talked himself out of the US Open second round against Jonas Bjorkman today before fighting back to keep the dream of a "Battle of Britain" alive.

By defeating the Swede 7-5, 7-5, 6-7, 7-6, Rusedski kept on course for a possible fourth round clash with Tim Henman and the British pair m ust now win their m atches tomorrow to set up a probable Monday meeting.

R usedski halted today's m atch trailing 0-3 in the fourth set after being penalised a point for hitting a linesman with the ball. He had already been penalised for throwing his racket and a prolonged argument with the umpire only ended when the referee came to the court and backed the ruling against the left hander.

Bjorkman believes Rusedski could have been ejected and said: "I think he was lucky not to be defaulted for those two incidents."

R usedski could not control his anger but saved himself from real trouble by constantly using "friggin" rather than a stronger form of sw earing during the argument-Rusedski, who now meets Argentine Mariano Zabaleta, said: "I needed the blow up to get it all out of m y system, I really did. I was able to empty my mind and I will handle it a bit better next time. I am here, I am alive and in the third round and there is a chance to meet Tim for the first time in a Slam."

Meanwhile, David Felgate, w ho coached Henman for nearly nine years, today started preparing Xavier Malisse, his new player, take on the British No1 in the third round.

And Felgate has no doubt w here the betting money will be on tomorrow's clash here at Flushing Meadow insisting: "If I had anything on the m atch it would be on Tim but upsets do happen."

Henman and Felgate split in April and then the former tour professional linked up with Malisse, the 20-year-old Belgian who is ranked 37th in the world.

Felgate, who walked out of Malisse's first round match as the youngster lost his cool and almost the match, has patched up that row and is ready to extend the partnership which is being review ed after the US Open.

Felgate said: "I fully understandthe irony of the situationbut I will be approaching this match in the usual way, helping Xavier prepare to face a world class player and that's greatfor him.

" Xavier got killed by Pat Rafter and Tim' style is very similar. Tim will be a very strong favourite and you w ould be foolhardy not to put money on him.

" There are alw ays situations on tour when the draw throws up a match between a player and his coach after they have just split up - or two players who have fallen out.

"I alw ays knew this could happen and I was wondering if it would be as soon as the French Open in May but it has come along now . Tim and I get along socially and that's not changed, there's been no hangover."

Henman moved into the third round by accounting for Brazil's Fernando Meligeni 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 and said: "David (Felgate) know s m y game better than most and if I worry about my opponent then my concentration won't be where it should be."

There were also wins for second seed Andre Agassi, champion Marat Safin, 10th seed Pete Sampras, 13th seed R oger Federer and women's defending champion Venus W illiams.

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