Tim Henman handed tough prospect

Players Under the Microscope / Editor / 21 March 2007 / Leave a Comment

Tim Henman's hopes of regaining form in the Miami Masters have been hit after he was drawn to face Guillermo Canas in the first round.

The British number two star is still reeling from his defeat in the first round at Indian Wells last week and he must now go head-to-head with Argentinian star, Canas, who ended world number one Roger Federer's winning streak last week.

Henman has struggled to hit any real form in 2007 after his start to the season was delayed by injury and he has only managed to pick up one singles victory since, leaving him down in 47th place on the rankings. He recognises the areas of the game which need to be improved on, but feels the weather could work against him in Miami.

He told his website: "I need to serve a lot better than I did last week.

"Although I didn't do as well as I would've wanted last week I feel I'm in much better shape now than I was when I first got out here.

"The most important thing was that my knee held up nicely after all of my matches and there was no adverse reaction."

He added: "The humidity is a killer and it can get really windy too.

"So it is important to realise that once you get on court and not get too frustrated. I have got to try and be patient while also being positive in terms of my game plan."

Henman will have his work cut out at the Sony Ericsson Open, a tournament dominated by world number one Federer in recent years. Federer beat Ivan Ljubicic in 2006 and Rafael Nadal in 2005 respectively to take the titles.

Henman, who was knocked out in the first round in Indian Wells last week, is available at 500 in an emerging Winner's market to cause a major upset and win the Miami event.

Federer will be eager to respond from his shock defeat in California and is the 1.49 favourite to get back on track with success in Miami, with last year's beaten finalist, Ljubicic, trading at 85 to go one better than last year.

Indian Wells winner, Nadal, can be backed at 8.2 to carry on his good form, while Andy Murray, who has been handed a first-round bye and will play either Paul Goldstein or Ryan Sweeting in the second round before a potential meeting with Lleyton Hewitt, is available at 34.