Agassi’s coach testing new pupil

Las Vegas training coach Gil Reyes, one of the architects behind Andre Agassi's stunning comeback, has a new star pupil.

Reyes and Agassi's former coach, Darren Cahill, have big plans for "Age of Love" star Mark Philippoussis, once one of tennis' brightest prospects before knee injuries took a toll.

"He belongs back in the top 10, the top 5, and he's set his course to be No. 1," Reyes said.

They face a tall order: Philippoussis, the 2003 Wimbledon runner-up to Roger Federer, has slipped to 370th in the world tennis ranking, his lowest spot since he was a rising teenager.

"It's not a fantasy mission by any means," Reyes said.

He recalls when Agassi, written off by many after falling to No. 141 in late 1997, rededicated himself and reached No. 1 in 1999. Agassi won more grand slam titles after age 29 than before it. Philippoussis is 30.

Agassi has been working out with Philippoussis, who moved to Las Vegas last year to start working on his comeback.

"Mark's the blueprint as an athlete," said Reyes. "He fits the prototype of what one takes to the court."

Under the guidance of Reyes and Cahill, Philippoussis was on his way late last year before injuring a knee that required surgery in January.

"He's ready for more games, and he has more games. I hope Mark is not impatient. We owe it to him, myself and Darren, that everything's in place for him to go out and win and win his way back in the rankings."

MOTHERHOOD CALLS

Until Tuesday, my favorite Beth Fisher story involved her and a purse snatcher who picked on the wrong gal.

This was back in 2003, when the KVBC-TV, Channel 3, anchor, during a restroom stop at the MGM Grand, saw a hand from the restroom stall next to hers reach over and lift her purse off the hook.

Fisher bolted out of her stall, kicked in the door next to hers and pummeled the perpetrator. Oh yes, and she got her purse back.

When she walked out, she asked her husband, Rian Glassford, if he had any idea what had just transpired.

"Yeah, yeah," said Glassford, "some lady got her purse snatched ... let's go."

Fisher, who has been anchoring the 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. news with Kendall Tenney for more than eight years, made a newsroom announcement on Tuesday.

She told her colleagues that she had decided "there are hundreds and thousands of women qualified to do my job here at Channel 3 but only one woman in the world qualified to be the mother of my little girl."

She's leaving the station on Sept. 21 to be a full-time mother and, with luck, add another member to their family. Their daughter, Elle, is 13 months old.

"I have no plans to work for another station in town," she said. "I really am going to be a mom."

She's grateful to Channel 3 for the opportunity, she said, and will miss her co-workers. She and her family plan to make Las Vegas their home.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Britney Spears threatened to kill two photographers who were taking pictures of her two sons last week at the Wynn Las Vegas. According to a statement released by the photographers' lawyers Thursday, Spears yelled, "I am going to kill you!" to photographer Andrew Deetz, who was allegedly beaten by Spears' bodyguard Cesar Julio Camera. Another photographer at the scene, Kyle Henderson, claims he was pushed into a wall by Camera. Both plan to sue, they said in a statement. Meanwhile, there was a report Tuesday that Spears may be in talks to host "Saturday Night Live" this fall. ...

Las Vegas resident Herb Rawlings plays James Brown in a scene in "Talk To Me," the just-out film starring Don Cheadle as pioneering shock jock "Petey" Greene Jr. Rawlings belts out Brown's "Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)."...

Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil is the celebrity host of tonight's grand opening of the La Salsa Cantina at The Forum Shops at Caesars. He's doing a meet and greet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. to talk about his Tres Rios tequila.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Barry Bonds might break the home run record here in Los Angeles this week at Dodger Stadium. People will be sitting on pins and needles. Especially Barry."-- Jay Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.