Hewitt too good for Henman

Tim Henman’s impressive run at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament was halted at the semi-final stage in Rotterdam today as he lost 6-3 6-3 to Lleyton Hewitt.

Henman has now lost in all seven meetings with Hewitt.

The Brit broke his Australian opponent in the second set – but otherwise Hewitt was in control throughout.

Henman had reached the semi-final with a battling straight-sets win over world number one Roger Federer last night – so he should have arrived on court today with some confidence.

Instead, he found himself on the back foot after struggling in the first set against an opponent who had made it into the last four on the back of a 7-6 (7/5) 6-3 win over Rainer Schuettler.

Henman – ranked fifth here, one place ahead of his opponent – hit back in the first game of the second set, breaking Hewitt, and he then saved two break-points against his own serve to take a 2-0 lead.

Henman was seeking to reach his fourth final at this event.

But Hewitt won his next service game and piled the pressure back on Henman by breaking back with a double-handed cross-court drive and a triumphant yell, levelling the score at 2-2.

The initiative had swung back to the Australian, who was hardly troubled as he eased into a 3-2 lead.

The next two games went with service, but Hewitt looked most comfortable and took a 30-0 lead against the serve with two outstanding backhand passes.

Henman looked unsteady as he hit a comfortable forehand into the net, presenting Hewitt with three break-points.

As it was, Hewitt needed just one as he moved into a 5-3 lead with a chance to serve for the match.

Henman kept battling, however, winning the first point of what was to prove the decisive game.

But the Australian stormed back, with his serve keeping his opponent struggling.

The winning point came as Henman struggled to control another powerful effort from Hewitt, the Briton’s backhand drifting out to give the Australian a 6-3 6-3 win.