DUSSELDORF, Germany, May 21 (AFP) - Australia joined Sweden in the final of the World Team Cup on Friday when Patrick Rafter and Mark Philippoussis combined to defeat the United States. Rafter claimed his third straight win over Pete Sampras, with his 6-3, 7-5 victory giving him entry to an exclusive club of only eight other players that have beaten the American three or more times in a row. Earlier, Philippoussis overcame some dogged resistance from Richey Reneberg, edging past the American 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 7-5. In the doubles, Reneberg and Jonathan Stark claimed a 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 victory as Pat Cash made a rare appearance to partner Sandon Stolle for the Aussies. Rafter served well and often controlled the points from the net, while leaving himself open to occasional passing shots from Sampras. In the second set Sampras threatened to turn the match around by keeping Rafter deep more often, but he was unable to take his opportunities. Sampras held a point to lead 2-0, and then failed to convert any of three set points he held at 5-4. Then at 5-5, the American hit a backhand long to give Rafter the vital break. "I wasn't happy with my serving before but it came back in the doubles against France and I tried to take it into today's match," said Rafter. "It seemed to work and it was very encouraging, and I just hope I can keep it up now. "Pete started off a bit sluggish and then he got into the match and in the second set there were some tight games on my serve and he had some easy ones, but I came up with the right shot at the right time." Sampras found facing a serve and volley player on clay a challenge, but he wasn't too disappointed with his defeat and goes into Monday's French Open happy with his form. "It was as fast as a hard court and with Pat's serve and volley the ball gets up very high and he covers the net very well as he's tough to play," said Sampras. "I've never played a serve and volleyer on clay. Most guys stay back, and Pat is the first guy I've played that serves and volleys. There's no question it's different. But I had set points in the second set and it could easily have gone the other way. "I feel I can play a little bit better, but I like where I am at the moment. My form is pretty good. I'm looking forward to the next two weeks. Hopefully it's two weeks!" Philippoussis took more than two hours to overcome the challenge of the 292nd ranked Reneberg, and he couldn't be sure of victory until he fired his 14th ace to end the battle. "He's a tough player," said 10th ranked Philippoussis after his third tight battle in three meetings with the veteran American. "He seems to be there all the time and he's quick around the court. He hits the ball clean and he hits it well. He's very tough to play." Games went with serve in the first set until Philippoussis struck a cross court winner to break for 6-4. Reneberg immediately replied by breaking to lead 1-0 in the second when Philippoussis netted a forehand, and the Australian needed to save a set point at 5-4. Another big forehand allowed Philippoussis to break for 5-5, and although he then held a match point at 6-5, Reneberg rallied to earn and win a tiebreak. In the final set, Philippoussis held a point to lead 5-2. Reneberg levelled at 5-5, but Philippoussis raised his game, broke for 6-5 and served out for the match. It is the first time Sweden and Australia have met in the final, although they have played each other in the World Team Cup nine times. Sweden have won seven of their meetings, but Australia won their last match, in 1998. Sweden have reached their fifth final and so far have three victories. Australia are in their seventh final and are seeking their second title. In matches that had no influence on who reached the final, Slovakia beat France 3-0. Karol Kucera overcame Guillaume Raoux 6-3, 6-2 and Dominic Hrbaty defeated Nicolas Escude 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. In the doubles, Tomas Catar and Hrbaty beat Escude and Raoux 6-4, 6-2.  