Tennis: Relief for Henman As Four-month Drought Comes to an End

A mere 111 days since his last ATP Tour victory, Tim Henman finally left a court as the winner today as he reached the second round of the Nottingham Open. The world No78 overcame the challenge of American Michael Russell in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5).

Henman surged into an early 4-0 lead as he capitalized on some ragged play by his opponent to take the first set with ease on the slick grass courts. The second set was much tighter after the players traded service breaks in the first two games as Henman's lack of confidence betrayed him at times. He had enough experience, however, to edge the tie-break and clinch a morale-boosting victory just six days before the start of Wimbledon.

"I knew it was never going to be plain sailing and there were a few nervy points along the way," said Henman. "But it's these type of games that are always nice to come through. I didn't play my best but when I needed to, I came through."

In other play, Croatian seventh seed Ivo Karlovic banged down 10 aces on his way to a 6-3, 7-6 defeat of Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka and Frenchman Arnaud Clement, seeded eight, beat Swede Thomas Johansson 7-5, 6-2.