Olympic gamble on Rusedski

Great Britain's selectors have gambled by naming Greg Rusedski in a four-strong men's team for the Olympic Games next month.

Tim Henman, the British No1, and Rusedski are down to play in the singles in Sydney, despite fears over the Canadian-born Rusedski's future following a foot injury that has dogged him for nearly a year. They are joined by the doubles pair Barry Cowan and Kyle Spencer, a newcomer at this level.

Although Spencer is Glasgow-born, the 24-year-old left-hander has spent all but four years of his life in California but is now Britain's top doubles player.

Henman won Olympic bronze in the doubles alongside Neil Broad in Atlanta four years ago. But whether Rusedski can enjoy any success in Sydney is open to serious doubt considering the British No 2's nagging problems.

Having pulled out of the prestigious Masters Series tournament here, Rusedski badly needs to recover fitness and a measure of success in an event at Long Island and at the United States Open before the Olympics. At Atlanta in 1996, he reached the third round of the singles shortly after switching allegiance from Canada to Britain.

Simon Clegg, Britain's chef de mission for the Games, remains hopeful about all members of the team. "As Tim showed in Atlanta, Olympic competition brings out the best in British tennis players and the tournament in Sydney promises to be a special event," he said.

Julie Pullin and Lorna Woodroffe will represent Britain in the women's doubles.

Meanwhile, Henman was kept waiting to open his campaign here last night by rain that delayed his meeting with the American Cecil Mamiit, a 24-year-old qualifier.

Mark Philippoussis is still struggling to come to terms with being shunned by Australia on the evidence of his 6-4, 6-2 win over Arnaud di Pasquale.Despite the score, it was an unconvincing performance by the player left out of Australia's team for the Davis Cup final with Spain in December.

"I've had a lot of things in my head. I just haven't been concentrating on my matches," Philippoussis admitted after his win.

The Davis Cup blow stemmed from Philippoussis pulling out of the semi-finals immediately after Wimbledon, the player citing discomfort in his knee, whereas Pat Rafter flogged himself halfway round the world to represent Australia, aggravating his bad shoulder in the process.