LONDON, 8 June 2004 — Tim Henman yesterday began what should be a quick adjustment to the grass that he loves as the surprise French Open semifinalist prepared for a Wednesday start after a bye at the 767,000-euros event at Queen’s club.
After a Roland Garros performance which left him with an improved world No. 5 ranking, the 29-year-old British No. 1 is hungry for more success — with an short-odds chance to do well on his favorite surface.
“I don’t see why I cannot keep building,” said the fourth seed in a field headed by holder Andy Roddick, Paris finalist Guillermo Coria and old pro Andre Agassi at the west London club. “I’d be disappointed if my ranking doesn’t improve.”
Henman owns three previous finals spots on the grass of Queen’s, losing to golfing buddy Pete Sampras in 1999 and going down for two years running from 2001 to Lleyton Hewitt.
“This club is my home event even more than Wimbledon,” said the four-time semifinalist at the All England club. “I’ve trained here since 1992.
“Whenever I’m home I come here, the vast majority of the time when I need to train indoors or on hard court. I’ve come pretty close to a grass title. “This tournament will be an important one for me.”
Henman said that his unexpected final four appearance last weekend in Paris should spur his grass game on, given his almost complete comfort zone on the lush green. “I rested Saturday and Sunday, I feel fresh and ready to build on (a semi-final appearance against Coria).”
But unseeded Greg Rusedski was dealt a bitter blow by Hyun-taik Lee, crashing in the opening round after losing a break in the final set of the 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat.
Britain’s Rusedski, fighting to get form back after nearly six months away as he successfully fought to clear his name of doping allegations, was hounded out by the Asian in one hour 37 minutes.
The defeat leaves the Canadian-born player’s Wimbledon preparation in deep trouble as it is his sixth defeat of a sparse season with only nine matches contested.
With the top eight seeds given byes, France’s Olivier Patience scored a minor upset, putting out 13th seed David Ferrer of Spain 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4.
Ivo Karlovic, the 14th-seeded Croatian who stunned holder Hewitt in the Wimbledon first round a year ago, advanced over American Jan-Michael Gambill 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5).
