Tim Henman's Wimbledon hopes suffered a setback as he lost his second round match of the Stella Artois Championship against Slovakia's Karol Beck.
Just 24 hours after former champion Goran Ivanisevic tipped Henman as favourite to triumph at the All England Club, the British number one was deservedly beaten 2-6 6-3 6-7 by the world number 79.
Fresh from his unexpected semi-final appearance at the French Open and on the day he announced he is to become a father for the second time, Henman, given a first-round bye, was full of confidence as he began his grass court campaign.
But he was completely outplayed in the opening set and after recovering to take the second, was unable to convert his solitary match point in front of a stunned Queen's Club crowd.
It leaves Henman desperately short of match practice with Wimbledon only 12 days away, and he may have to apply for a wild card at next week's Nottingham Open to get some more matches under his belt.
Filed by Aidan O'Doherty
