Tennis: British No.1 Tim Henman goes out to Medvedev
Friday, 14 April 2000 15:39Ukrainian Andrei Medvedev today out-served, out-hit, out-thought and outmanoeuvred Tim Henman to reach the semi-finals of the Estoril Open in Portugal. The British number one's hopes of a first clay court title were dashed as 1993 champion Medvedev charged to a 6-2 6-3 win. Medvedev, having endured four first-round and one second-round defeat in his five hard court events this year, looked eager to prove his mettle and drew first blood with a break to move 3-1 ahead.
Henman, able to dictate play and attack the net at will against lesser opponents in the earlier rounds, found Medvedev a different proposition. When he was able to clear a path to the net he misplaced his volleys and routinely left himself out of position, allowing Medvedev to pass him. The Ukrainian produced a series of flighted lobs and neatly angled volleys on his way to clinching the opening set, breaking a second time for a one-set advantage.
