Both of Britain's great hopes for a Grand Slam title, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski, crashed out of the US Open in Flushing Meadows last night. Their early exits from the season's final Grand Slam event means the prospect of a so-called "Battle of Britain", with both players drawn in the same half of the competition, will have to wait for another day.
Henman was first to exit after an epic 6-7 6-3 7-5 4-6 6-4 defeat to 21-year-old Belgian Xavier Malisse. The Wimbledon semi-finalist did not appear to be up to his usual standards as he produced 68 unforced errors and 14 double faults during the match. What made the defeat all the more painful for Henman is the fact that Malisse's recent impact on the game is all down to his new coach David Felgate, who happens to be Henman's former mentor. Henman chose to leave Felgate's stable last April but could rue his decision after he once again failed to make it past the fourth round at the US Open.
"It's very disappointing, It's a scenario I've been through before and it doesn't get any easier. From the first game it was a struggle and I never felt confident on the serve," he admitted. However, despite his own faults, Henman was full of praise for the fine performance by his opponent. "It was a close match, he stuck in there, played well and you have to give him credit. He's got an enormous amount of ability and hit a lot of great shots," he said.
For Rusedski, it proved an equally frustrating day at the office. The big left-hander succumbed 6-7 6-4 7-5 7-6 to Argentinian Mariano Zabaleta. It was a major disappointment for the British number two who was feeling very confident about his game during this tournament so far. However, Zabaleta was in stunning form, controlling the match from his baseline while Rusedski's tactic of coming into the net did not pay off.
"My first serve let me down today, he punished my second serve and that was the key to the match. I competed, did everything I could to come up with the tennis, but I couldn't raise my level," explained Rusedski afterwards. "It was a good opportunity and I let it go. Sometimes you need a bit of luck. But you've got to give the guy credit. He stood 20 feet behind the baseline and was getting the ball at my feet every time."
Rusedski topped off a nightmare evening with an outburst of screams at a line judge and received a warning for a verbal obscenity although he later denied that he had used the F-word when screaming in frustration. "If I said the F-word, give me the fine - I'd take it. I've talked to the officials and they are going to take it into consideration. I don't think I deserve a fine. The outburst didn't hurt me, sometimes you've got to let it go out there," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
