Henman net game catches out Blake

Tim Henman comfortably progressed to the third round of the Masters Series in Toronto with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over the American James Blake yesterday.

It was an impressive performance from the British No 1, who was never really troubled by the 22-year-old from New York, and he now faces the Wimbledon finalist, David Nalbandian of Argentina, in the next round.

Although the first three games went with serve, it was the Briton who looked the more comfortable as he put pressure on Blake, coming to the net at every opportunity. His persistence paid off in the fourth game when some poor serving by Blake and an unlucky net cord gave Henman the vital break.

That proved crucial for the fourth seed as the remaining games went with serve, allowing Henman to take the first set 6-3.

The second set began as the first had with each player holding his own serve, giving Blake a 2-1 lead. But, as with the opening set, the fourth game again proved crucial.

Having struggled to find his rhythm, Blake suddenly began producing winning passing shots. But , after a long struggle, Henman levelled then broke the American again in the seventh game for a 4-3 lead. Two games later Blake faltered again on serve to hand the match to Henman.

Pete Sampras made no mistake against South Africa's Wayne Ferreira, who has often been his bogey opponent, winning 6-7, 7-5, 4-6.