Tim Henman has beaten fellow Brit Greg Rusedski in the first round of the AAPT Championship in Adelaide. The British number one and second seed overcame his opponent in straight sets 6-2 7-6. There were few signs of friction between the two players despite the fact that they were involved in a row just over a month ago during the ATP Samsung Open in Brighton. This was the first match between these two for 17 months and Henman's victory gives him a 3-2 lead over Rusedski.
Henman is hoping for a good run at this tournament as he prepares for the first Grand Slam event of the year - the Australian Open - which gets underway later this month, and his win over Rusedski was the best possible start. "I was really pleased with my performance and with every aspect of my game. I thought I played well in the heat. It makes the conditions fast and that suits me," he said afterwards.
Meanwhile, top seed and defending champion Lleyton Hewitt is also through to the second round after he comfortably defeated fellow Australian Wayne Arthurs 6-4 6-3.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
