Safin rubs salt into Henman's wound

Tim Henman's startling defeat on Wednesday has cost him one place in the ATP Champions Race and could cost him a couple more. Henman sunk to fourth place after Marat Safin reached the quarter-finals of the Masters Series here yesterday and, with Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer also progressing, they too could climb above him.

Federer underlined the opportunity lost by beating Adrian Voinea, Henman's conqueror, 7-5, 6-4 with something to spare. That earned the Wimbedon quarter-finalist a meeting with Gustavo Kuerten, the French Open champion, who was pleased with how he moved while beating Guillermo Canas 6-4, 6-2, but admits to not feeling entirely sure of himself after six months sidelined.

At least Henman can repair any damage to his French Open prospects when he plays in the World Team Championships in three days' time. He should get high-quality preparation, probably partnered by Greg Rusedski, though the British No2 has revealed nothing about his bad neck.

Hewitt progressed 6-4, 6-3 after a row with the umpire in his match against Jiri Novak. The Australian questioned a line call and asked Norm Chryst to climb down from his chair and inspect the clay. When he refused, Hewitt called for the referee, in vain, before he eventually continued.

Hewitt today faces Safin, Tommy Robredo meets Stefan Koubek, and Julien Boutter plays the disturbing Max Mirnyi. On Wednesday the serve-volleyer so upset Carlos Moya by beating him that the Spaniard belted a ball high and far and got a code violation.

Yesterday Mirnyi's 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 win over Mariano Zabaleta frustrated the Argentinian so much that before shaking hands he mangled his racket and received a code violation too. Boutter had better beware.

At the Italian Open in Rome Anna Kournikova lost 6-3, 6-2 to Virginia Ruano Pascual but was hampered by a groin strain. The problem should not threaten her chances of making the French Open, which starts a week on Monday. Kournikova seemed cheerful despite the defeat for this week has marked the first time since February that she has won two matches in a row.

Serena Williams, as is her wont, was markedly more grumpy despite having considerably more to smile about. She stormed into the quarter-finals, beating Denisa Chladkova at a canter 6-1, 6-2.

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