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Positive Henman puts brave face on humbling by world No 2 Nadal |
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3/3/2006 8:57:22 AM |
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 TIM Henman believes he will leave the Middle East in a much better state both mentally and physically despite his straight-sets defeat yesterday to Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Open.
Henman staged a brave effort against the world No2, but after losing the first set in a tie-break he was crushed 6-1 in the second by the irrepressible Spaniard.
The British No3 admitted he missed his opportunity in the first set when his eagerness to shorten the points by attacking the net seemed to catch Nadal off guard.
"I was playing the better tennis at the start of the match and dictating the play, and when you get those opportunities you've got to try and take them," said Henman, who was this week deposed as British No1 by Andy Murray.
Henman knew his chance would be over should Nadal be allowed to dictate the game from the baseline and his varied approach earned him three break-points in Nadal's first service game. However, Henman was unable to take those opportunities and Nadal's confidence grew as the set wore on.
He was sensational in the tie-break, serving with power and smashing passing shots past the advancing Henman. But the 31-year-old, who defeated Feliciano Lopez and Radek Stepanek to reach the last eight, said the week had been hugely beneficial following his difficult start to the year.
But he showed against Nadal that he still has the game to test the very best in the world. More importantly, his battered body stood up to three intense examinations, leaving Henman confident about his prospects for the rest of the season.
"It's been a very, very positive week. My back has been excellent and I felt fine on the court.
"I feel frustrated with the outcome, obviously, but in the context of playing the guy two in the world it's a good sign that I'm feeling that way about my game."
The Dubai clash was the first time the pair had met on tour and Nadal admitted Henman's approach was unlike any other player he had face.
"Henman is a difficult opponent and a very, very good player. He hits the ball flat and comes to the net a lot and it was not easy to get used to him," he said.
Nadal will play Rainer Schuettler after Bjorn Phau was unable to follow up his victory over Andre Agassi and was beaten 6-4, 6-1 in the all-German battle.
The pair were joined in the last four by top seed and defending champion Roger Federer, who enjoyed a smooth 6-3, 6-2 win over Czech Robin Vik.
Federer was rarely stretched by Vik who rallied well at times but had nothing in his game to cause concern.
Federer faced two break-points immediately after breaking to lead 2-0, but then he fired four consecutive aces to hold serve.
Carelessness from Federer allowed Vik, who was playing only his 28th match on the ATP tour, to level at 3-3. The Swiss world No1 forced a forehand error to break again for 5-4 and he served out the set to love.
Federer faced three more break-points in his first service game of the second set, before he held and then broke for 3-2. A cross-court forehand winner gave him a second break for 5-2.
"I'm not sure if I played much better than before, but it's just the feeling I have now, it's more relaxed," said Federer, playing his first tournament since winning the Australian Open.
Federer will next play Russia's Mikhail Youzhny, who reached his first semi-final of the year when he overwhelmed Olivier Rochus, of Belgium, 6-3, 6-1.
Top seed and world No2 Amelie Mauresmo beat Roberta Vinci, of Italy, 6-4, 6-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Qatar Open. The Frenchwoman, riding high after winning three titles including the Australian Open this year, will claim the top ranking from Belgium's Kim Clijsters if she wins the final tomorrow.
Mauresmo will now meet former world No 1 Martina Hingis, of Switzerland, who beat sixth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, of Russia, in straight sets.
Second seed Nadia Petrova quelled a spirited challenge from Na Li, of China, to post a 6-4, 6-4 victory.
Petrova will meet Ai Sugiyama in today's first semi-final after the Japanese veteran defeated Julia Schruff, of Germany, 6-3, 6-2.
This article: http://sport.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=323042006
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