Henman powers past Blake

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

It was an impressive performance from the British number one, who was never really troubled by the 22-year-old from New York, and he now faces Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian from Argentina in the next round.

Henman came out of the blocks firing and although the first three games went with serve it was the Briton who looked the more comfortable as he put pressure on the Blake serve coming to the net at every opportunity.

And 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 as Henman continued with his natural serve and volley game.

Undeterred the British number one persisted and 18 points later took the game to level matters.

And he never looked back, breaking the American again in the seventh game to establish a 4-3 lead and two games later Blake faltered again to hand the set and the match to Henman.