Post by Taxigirl on Jan 25, 2004 9:22:10 GMT
Tim Henman has called his five-set loss to Guillermo Canas a "bitter pill to swallow" after surrendering a big lead in the third-round Australian Open tie.
The British number one blew a two-set advantage and was 4-1 up in the final set, before going out 6-7 5-7 7-6 7-5 9-7 in an epic five-hour match.
"It was probably a good match to watch but it is about winning and losing and I came up just short," said Henman.
"There are probably not a whole load of constructive things I've got to say."
Despite the manner of the defeat, Henman did produce some excellent tennis at times.
"It will be interesting to look at some of the stats," he said.
"They were coming up on the scoreboard from time to time and at one stage I saw I hit 96 winners. That is a lot of winners to hit to lose."
Henman has a bad record against Canas, having lost another epic match to the Argentine at the French Open in 2001.
"It's a bitter pill to swallow. Having lost a tight one to him in Paris, these are the types of matches you have to find a way to get through.
"In the first couple of sets I was able to win a couple of important points and that was the difference," Henman said.
"In the next two he won a couple of critical points.
"It is very easy to over analyse something like this. Unfortunately he was the winner.
"If you are 4-1 up in the fifth you are obviously in the ascendancy.
"All credit to him though. He hit some great running passing shots to break back at 4-2."
Failure to progress at a Grand Slam away from home once more will be a huge disappointment for Henman, and once again his season will be judged by his performance at Wimbledon.
Henman at least has the opportunity to boost his chances by moving up the world rankings in the coming months, having missed the start of last year through injury.
Henman floored by Canas comeback
Tim Henman let a two-set lead slip to lose to Guillermo Canas 7-6 7-5 6-7 5-7 7-9 at the Australian Open.
Henman took the first on a tie-break and sneaked the second 7-5.
He was unable to hold onto an early break in the third set and allowed Canas back into the match when he played a poor tie-break.
Canas took the fourth 7-5 to send it to a decider, and, despite holding an early break, Henman finally succumbed 9-7 in the fifth.
Henman at times played close to his best tennis, but questions will be asked after he again failed at a Grand Slam away from home and threw away such a promising position.
Even in the fifth set Henman had his chances, breaking to lead 4-1 before Canas levelled the match at 4-4.
The match turned when Henman led 30-0 as Canas served at 6-7 down but the Argentine produced a brilliant lob with Henman well placed at the net.
Canas escaped and then broke immediately as Henman double-faulted on break-point.
Henman bravely saved two match-points with some bold attacking play and had the chance to break back when Canas double-faulted himself.
But the Argentine found his first serve when he most needed it to get out of trouble, and sealed victory with a brilliant passing shot after an epic four hours and 51 minutes.
It is a familiar story against Canas, who previously held a 3-1 lead over the Briton including wins in the US and French Opens.
Canas now goes on to an all-Argentine clash with eighth seed David Nalbandian in the last 16.
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/australian_open_2004/3425233.stm