Although Mark Philippoussis says he is not thinking about his possible wildcard invitation to the Australian Open, potential first round opponents might have to start considering it very seriously.

Because on the form the mercurial 30-year-old showed in securing Australia's upset victory over the top seeded Russian at the Hopman Cup in Perth, no-one would want to be drawn against the former Wimbledon finalist if he gets his place at Melbourne Park.

The "comeback crew" storyline was given the perfect first chapter by the Scud and partner Alicia Molik on day one of the mixed teams tournament, both overcoming massive rankings discrepancies to dispatch the $1.75 favourites.

First Molik proved her inner-ear problems are truly behind her with a 6-2 2-6 6-2 win over world No.6 Nadia Petrova.

Then Philippoussis backed up with a hugely encouraging 6-4 7-6 triumph over Davis Cup hero Dmitry Tursunov, turning Australia's group on its head and handing a significant boost to an event shorn of any real drawcards this year.

Philippoussis, yet to be handed a wildcard to the Open despite still being the country's No.2 male player, said he was determined to focus on the now, rather than consider what the rest of the season might bring.

"It is nothing to get excited about, it was a good match and a good win, a positive start," Philippoussis said.

"To be quite honest I am not thinking about that (Australian Open invitation) at all. My mind is here right now ... whatever happens, happens."

Borrowing a renaissance blueprint mastered by Andre Agassi in his career twilight, Philippoussis has been using his former coach, Darren Cahill, and trainer, Gil Reyes, in Las Vegas.

Neither is believed to be in Perth, but father Nick was in the stands - along with Philippoussis's sometime mentor and radio personality Alan Jones and recently retired Australian Test batsman Damien Martyn.

In keeping with the star-studded backing, Philippoussis put in a fitting performance, breaching the gap of 92 places in the world rankings between him and Tursunov with ferocious serving and encouraging court coverage.

Philippoussis said his fitness work with Reyes in particular had given him a great platform for the 2007 season.

"I feel like I have a very good base and it is definitely very important for me now to build on that base and to keep getting strong," Philippoussis said.

"When we are playing tournaments and matches it is tough to continue our fitness (regime), but when we have a bit of time that is when it is very important to get in the gym and continue it."

Although Molik's scoreline over Petrova was not as convincing as her teammate's, the performance was perhaps more encouraging, given how hard the 25-year-old was hit by the bout of vestibular neuronitis contracted in 2005.

The inner ear infection threatened her career, Molik admitting the win over a top ten player was a significant milestone.

"For me it is a bit a weight lifted off my shoulders, it is not 2007 yet but it certainly feels like it," Molik said.

"I didn't know what to expect of myself today, but waking up this morning knowing I had to go out and face the number six in the world, I feel like I belong.

"I was there once before, and certainly I am not intimidated by a lot of those top ten players and I think that showed today."

Australia now has two days off before facing the French team of Tatiana Golovin and Jerome Haehnel on Tuesday evening.

The second Group A tie features the United State against France.

In the dead mixed doubles rubber, the Russians opened their account with a straightforward 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 victory.

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