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Henman makes last eight in Japan | Henman makes last eight in Japan |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Tim Henman overcame a sluggish start to beat Argentine teenager Juan Martin del Potro and reach the quarter-finals of the Japan Open in Tokyo. | Tim Henman overcame a sluggish start to beat Argentine teenager Juan Martin del Potro and reach the quarter-finals of the Japan Open in Tokyo. |
The British number two trailed the 18-year-old 1-4 in the opening set of their rain-delayed match before coming back to win it on the tie-break. | The British number two trailed the 18-year-old 1-4 in the opening set of their rain-delayed match before coming back to win it on the tie-break. |
The 32-year-old then broke immediately in the second set to wrap up a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win. | The 32-year-old then broke immediately in the second set to wrap up a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 win. |
The world number 55 now plays third seed Mario Ancic later on Friday. | The world number 55 now plays third seed Mario Ancic later on Friday. |
The Croat, who was runner-up in Japan last year, saw off Rainer Schuttler of Germany in three sets. | The Croat, who was runner-up in Japan last year, saw off Rainer Schuttler of Germany in three sets. |
Despite his early blip, Henman was pleased with the way he played. | Despite his early blip, Henman was pleased with the way he played. |
Mario will be a difficult one as I've never beaten him Tim Henman | |
"Even when I was a break down in the first set, I was hitting the ball well," he said. | "Even when I was a break down in the first set, I was hitting the ball well," he said. |
"I created a lot of opportunities. So I just stayed patient. I played better and better as the match went on, so I'm really pleased. | "I created a lot of opportunities. So I just stayed patient. I played better and better as the match went on, so I'm really pleased. |
"I lost my serve once and did a very good job to get in front in the second set. I really think the conditions suit me well." | "I lost my serve once and did a very good job to get in front in the second set. I really think the conditions suit me well." |
It will be a long day for Henman, whose match against Del Potro began at 9am local time but whose quarter-final is unlikely to start before midnight in Japan. | |
"I'm not usually at my best first thing in the morning andnine o'clock is pretty early to be out on the match court so I'm pleased I wonunder the circumstances," he said. | |
"Mario will be a difficult one as I've never beaten him. The first time weplayed at Wimbledon, I played poorly and lost in straight sets." | |
Roger Federer has already booked his place in the semi-finals after scraping past 30-year-old Japanese player Takao Suzuki 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7/3). |