Kiefer injury hands Henman win

Tim Henman reached the quarter-finals of the US Open for the first time in his career as opponent Nicolas Kiefer withdrew in the fifth set of their fourth-round clash with a wrist injury.

Henman, on his 30th birthday, was 3-0 up in the decider after a thrilling match, and will be disappointed to have won the match by default after the pair had brought the best – and worst – out of each other in an entertaining spectacle at Flushing Meadows.

Kiefer won the first set of their fourth-round clash on the tie-break.

Henman double-faulted on the first point of the game and his German opponent took the first four games. Henman broke back twice to take the set into a tie-break but lost it 7-5.

Henman was the first to lose his serve in the second set, but he then fought back to take it comfortably.

Kiefer went 3-1 ahead after a tight line call went his way. Henman was clearly upset by the call but fought back to win five games in a row.

His first serve accuracy improved and he took the set 6-3 to level the match.

Kiefer’s game was falling apart and Henman stretched his winning run to 10 games in the third set.

The German had no answer to Henman’s chip and volley tactic and was 5-0 down before registering a game.

The Briton held his serve in the next game to take the set 6-1 to lead 2-1.

Kiefer found his feet to take the first in the fourth set as neither he nor Henman was able to break the other’s serve.

A fortuitous lob by Kiefer cost Henman break point in the fifth game and he went 3-2 down.

The set went to a tie-break at 6-6 and Henman found himself behind as the German regained his composure following a few outbursts over debatable line calls, going on to win the tie-break 7-5 to take the set and level at 2-2.

The pair looked destined for a battle in the fifth and final set.

Henman took a 3-0 lead but play was halted when the German appeared to hurt his right wrist.

Kiefer, following consultation with a trainer, decided to retire, handing Henman his passage to face either Olivier Rochus or Dominik Hrbaty in the quarter-finals.