Henman Breezes Past Brzezicki

Tim Henman eased his way into the second round of the French Open this afternoon with a victory as routine as you are likely to witness at a tennis Grand Slam.

The British No1 took just 98 minutes to complete a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Argentinian Juan-Pablo Brzezicki, a man who had never played an ATP Tour match before, let alone appeared in a Grand Slam.

The occasion proved too much for the Argentinian, who had been given his big chance when Henman's original opponent, Potito Starace, pulled out with an ankle injury.

But it was the perfect start for Henman in his attempt to emulate last year's adventure when he proceeded to the semi-finals on the red clay he used to hate.

It was clear from the opening exchanges that Henman was in a different class from his opponent, coming in to the net at will to dispatch a series of volleys.

The only mystery was how his concentration wavered so early to allow the Argentinian to break his serve twice in that first set, even if they were the only games he won.

Brzezicki had plenty of fight and determination, but the copious errors which flew from his racket told the story of why his career is becalmed on the challenger circuit at the age of 23.

A big forehand is useful only if it lands inside the lines and that was something of a rarity for Brzezicki. It seemed the nerves had settled at the beginning of the second, especially when a brilliant Argentinian drop shot sent Henman scrambling.

Pretty soon, however, the errors again were scattered around Court Seven and the set was quickly gone. Brzezicki, courtesy of more Henman lapses in concentration, did race to a 2-0 lead in the third set. But that was his only moment of sun at a chill and blustery Roland Garros.

Henman now plays Luis Horna of Peru who beat Frenchman Jerome Haehnel 7-6, 7-5, 6-3.