Henman battles back to reach third round

Tim Henman came from a set down to win through to the third round of the Cincinatti Masters yesterday

08:54 05 August 2004

British number one Tim Henman came from a set down to win through to the third round of the Cincinatti Masters yesterday, squeezing out Morocccan Hicham Arazi 4-6 6-3 7-5.

Henman had to dig deep in a rain-delayed match that lasted over two hours, but the 29-year-old came through to join Greg Rusedski in the next round.

Rusedski had earlier won a similarly tough three-set clash with Gaston Gaudio to set up a third round tie with Tommy Robredo.

29-year-old Henman will face 10th seed Lleyton Hewitt, who he has failed to beat on seven previous occasions.

Henman made the vital breakthrough in the 11th game of the third set, when he broke Arazi's serve. The Briton held his nerve and serve to close the match.

Rusedski was also forced to battle back from a set down in his clash with Argentinian Gaudio.

"I'm really pleased with the way I played and the way I got back into the match after Thomas played well at the start," said Rusedski,

"I was a little bit flat out there to begin with but once I got that break in the third set I felt comfortable.

"He had the advantage for a set and a half but I got my serve going and that was the key to it I think.

"I am a little bit tired but I am in the third round now and I am looking forward to it."