NOTEBOOK Australian Open

Philippoussis criticized: Mark Philippoussis was having a grand ol' time at the Australian Open. He made it to the fourth round and brought a group of buddies to cheer him on. But after his fourth-round loss to Hicham Arazi this week, some Australian players criticized his decision to have so many friends as part of his entourage. John Alexander, a former top player, said in a newspaper column that Philippoussis needs to learn there is "a time for tennis and a time for socializing." Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash was also critical, while countryman Todd Woodbridge was quoted as saying that his Davis Cup teammate was "the type of guy who's been happy to give 70 percent." But Australia's Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald has no problem with Philippoussis having a good time -- as long as he plays hard. Philippoussis and Lleyton Hewitt, along with doubles players Woodbridge and Wayne Arthurs, were chosen Wednesday to play Davis Cup for the defending champions.
Still going strong: Martina Navratilova is starting off her final season quite well. At 47, Navratilova is still among the world's top mixed doubles players. She and partner Leander Paes beat Australians Paul Hanley and Trudi Musgrave 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7) to reach the semifinals. Navratilova, who already owns nine Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, and Paes are the defending Australian Open champions.
Changes coming: When Andy Roddick is replaced at No. 1 by either Roger Federer or Juan Carlos Ferrero at the end of the Australian Open, it will mark the 85th change at the top of the ATP rankings since the computer list was started in 1973. Ilie Nastase was the first, and he held No. 1 spot for 40 weeks. Pete Sampras is the leader with 286 weeks at No. 1, followed by Ivan Lendl (270), Jimmy Connors (268) and John McEnroe (170). Bjorn Borg is fifth (109), followed by Andre Agassi, who leads active players with 101 -- 21 more than Lleyton Hewitt.
Buying support: Patty Schnyder noticed a crowd of fans that watched her third-round match, then her fourth. So she decided to return the favor and buy them tickets to her quarterfinal win Wednesday over Lisa Raymond. "They're awesome," Schnyder said. "I didn't know them. Now I know them. It helps a lot." Schnyder played second-seeded Kim Clijsters today.
-- Associated Press