Tim Henman feels Miami heat

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 23 March 2007 / Leave a Comment

Tim Henman's hopes of a good run at the Miami Masters ended with a first-round defeat to Argentina star Guillermo Canas, leaving Andy Murray as the sole remaining British hope.

The British number two, still working his way back to full match fitness after a delayed start to his 2007 season, took a clinical 4-1 lead on his way to claiming the first set at the Sony Ericsson Open.

But the South American stormed back and levelled the match with two breaks and dominated the decider as Henman failed to win any service games.

For Henman, it proved a disappointing third defeat in four matches this year as he finally crashed out of the tournament at the first hurdle 3-6 6-2 6-1.

Canas is enjoying a purple patch since returning from a 15-month drugs ban in September, winning the Brazil Open last month and ending world number one Roger Federer's long winning streak in Indian Wells two weeks ago.

British number one Murray is in action on Friday in his first match of the event and plays US star Paul Goldstein after receiving a bye in round one.

Federer will be looking to make amends for his defeat to Canas when he takes on wild card Sam Querrey in his opening match, while Indian Wells champion Rafael Nadal, seeded second, takes on Brazilian Ricardo Mello.

The Swiss ace trades as the 1.52 favourite to claim the title while Nadal can be backed at 7.8 to make it back-to-back wins stateside.

Despite his impressive dismantling of Henman, Canas is on offer at 260 to go all the way and lift the trophy, while Scottish starlet Murray trades at 36 to add another title to the one he successfully defended in San Jose earlier this season.

Andy Roddick is available at 22 to win the tournament while last week's beaten finalist Novak Djokovic can be backed at 70.