Mark Philippoussis has stated several times this week that he’d like to get back on the ATP Tour. If his play on Sunday is any indication, it would be foolish to doubt him.

Philippoussis used his tremendous first serve and an effective second serve to overpower Jim Courier 6-4, 6-1 in the final of the 3rd annual Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tennis Championships at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex. It was Philippoussis’ second title on the Champions Series this season. He also lost a final in Brazil to Fernando Meligeni in the first event of the year in March. Not bad for a guy who’s endured six knee surgeries, including microfracture procedures on both knees.

During his four matches in Surprise, Philippoussis didn’t lose a set. He takes home $54,000 in prize money.

“My first serve was great, I served well, but the second serve I felt was the best I’ve served this week by far,” Philippoussis said. “My second serve was great. I think there was just one double fault, and it was kicking up high. It was biting off the court, and that’s what got me out of trouble today.”

Courier could only agree. “I needed a step ladder to get to his second serve out there. We’re playing in thin air here, so the ball does jump a little higher,” Courier said. “I went out with the intention of trying to block his first serves back because they’re coming so big, and to play offense on his second serve on both the forehand and the backhand side and try to take it to him. But from the first second serve he hit, I was lunging and trying to climb up the ladder to get my racquet on the ball.”

Before the tournament started, Courier, whose company Inside Out Sports operates the Champions Tour, joked that he had never reached the final day of play during the event in Surprise. He got there this year, but said his opponent was just too strong. “Credit goes to Mark. He won this match, I didn’t lose it. He took it from me and exploited all the things he should have with his game,” Courier said.

In the third place match that preceded Philippoussis’ victory, Michael Chang continued his solid play in a 7-6, 7-6 win over John McEnroe.

Chang was down 6-2 in the second set tiebreaker, but rallied for the win. “I was able to sneak a few points in there, and was able to get a couple of mini-breaks back, and had a good return at the end,” Chang said.

Match point was a little strange. Chang questioned a call on a McEnroe serve that was initially ruled good by the line judge. The judge then very quietly changed his call, sending McEnroe into a tizzy. After a few minutes of McEnroe’s tirade, Chang relented, telling McEnroe to take two serves. McEnroe thanked Chang, and then said, “now, don’t go hitting a winner on me now”, which drew laughs from the crowd on hand. Chang then blasted a return right at the feet of McEnroe, who was unable to return it, ending the match.

During the trophy presentation following the tournament, Courier announced that the event would be back in Surprise again in 2011 with title sponsor Cancer Treatment Centers of America in place. This year’s event marked the expiration of the original three-year deal with Inside Out Sports and Entertainment. Courier said next year is a definite, but he’s hoping for another multi-year agreement to keep the tournament in Surprise.