Defeat can't dampen Henman's spirits

Tim Henman remained upbeat about his current form despite going down in straight sets to Roger Federer in the final of the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells.

Henman went into the Masters Series decider able to boast six wins in seven previous matches against Switzerland’s world number one.

But it was the Wimbledon and Australian Open champion who breezed to a 6-3 6-3 victory to gain revenge for recent defeats against the British number one in Paris last October and then Rotterdam six weeks ago.

Henman’s consolation was the memory of a confidence-boosting run to the final which included a notable quarter-final victory over US Open champion Andy Roddick.

“I had a few early half-chances, like when I was 30-all and then blew my approach shot, and it’s things like that, against a player of Roger’s class, that you’ve got to try and capitalise on,” Henman told Sky Sports.

“But he ended up getting the first break of serve and I never really put him under a great deal of pressure on his serve after that.

“It was tough but I think that when you look back at the whole tournament it’s been a great 10 days for me and there’s definitely plenty to build on for the rest of the year.”