Tennis: Henman eases through in Monte Carlo

Tim Henman wrapped up one of his best ever clay court wins as he booked his place in the second round of the Masters Series event in Monte Carlo.

The British number one dropped only three games against surface specialist Fabrice Santoro on his way to a 6-3 6-0 win.

He produced a perfect attacking performance from the baseline, hammering 26 winners and serving 67 per cent of first serves, which had the Frenchman on the back-foot from the start.

Henman's performance will have been particularly encouraging for Great Britain Davis Cup captain Roger Taylor, in Monte Carlo to check the progress of his star men with a view to September's World Group trip to the clay courts of Ecuador.

Henman faces another stern test in the next round when he plays another clay court specialist, the in-form Gaston Gaudio of Argentina.

But Greg Rusedski crashed out at the first hurdle as he was beaten 7-6 7-5 by Romanian Andrei Pavel.

The left-hander, who parted company with coach Pat Cash at the weekend after a disagreement over payment for the Australian's services, bowed out after a match lasting one hour 41 minutes.

Second seed Gustavo Kuerten later beat Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui 6-4 4-6 6-4.