Henman Sees Off Agassi at Queen's

Tim Henman shrugged off worries about his injured back and his plunge down the world rankings to begin the grass-court season in some style at Queen's Club.

Henman brushed aside former Wimbledon champion Andre Agassi 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of the Stella Artois Championships, suggesting reports of his demise are premature.

Looking increasingly confident against an opponent returning to competitive action for the first time in three months, Henman looked in little danger of falling at the first hurdle.

Henman, who has dropped to 76th in the world and third in Britain, had complained of a flare-up of his long-standing back injury during practice over the weekend. There was little evidence of that problem as he broke Agassi for the first time in the third game of the match - though the 36-year-old American immediately responded to pull back to level.

Henman summoned up his crucial second break of the set in the seventh game when Agassi hit a forehand long, and he survived three break-back points to serve out for the set.

Henman hammered home his advantage by breaking Agassi in the opening game of the second set with his opponent beginning to look a little flat after his lay-off.

And after Agassi had wasted two break-back points in the seventh game of the set Henman responded by serving out for a thoroughly convincing first grass-court win of the year.