Chennai: Mark Philippoussis, the awesome Aussie nicknamed "Scud," was tamed 6-2, 6-1 by sixth-seeded Rainer Schuttler of Germany and made his exit in the second round of the ATP Tata Open tennis championship here on Thursday.

In a doubles encounter, Julian Knowle (Australia) and Michael Kohlmann (Germany) had little difficulty in disposing of Spaniards Albert Montanes and Albert Portas 6-3, 6-3 to progress to the semifinals.

Much was expected of Philippoussis, who sported a "Alexander the Great" tattoo on his right forearm and who finds a place as the third in the top-ten "aces per match leaders" (an average of 15.3 percent with 428 aces so far).

Atleast his fans, who gathered in good number and cheering him were disappointed as Philippoussis, who was rated as the sexiest man of 2000 by the People magazine, succumbed to the firepower of Schuttler who rained aces and winners at will.

The German rose to a 4-0 lead with two breaks in the first set before winning it 6-2.

In the second set, Philippoussis failed to raise his game while the German was at his best. However, even the few winners and occasional booming aces and cross court smashes by the Aussie was applauded by his supporters.

Schuttler led 2-0 and then 5-1 before winning the match with three match points.

Meanwhile, defending champion Guillermo Canas of Argentina kept himself on course for his fourth career title as he quelled the challenge of Jiri Vanek 6-4, 6-2 to move into the quarter-finals on Thursday.

In another match, Jean Rene Lisnard of France had to dig deep into his reserves before overcoming a late charge by lucky loser Noam Okun of Israel 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 to advance into the last eight.

As usual, Canas, who has not lost a match at this venue, was a slow starter as he saved a break point before winning the first game on the third deuce.

The games went on serve till the sixth when Vanek lost three break points to Canas to go in the lead at 4-2.

Canas, with three career titles, including two during last season, under his belt and six-time finalist in the ATP circuit gave enough room for Vanek to dictate terms in the ninth game. On head to head count, this is Canas’s second win over Vanek in as many meetings having won last in this tourney last year.