Tokyo stroll for Henman

14 April 2012

British number two Tim Henman breezed into the third round of the Japan Open with victory over Frank Dancevic.

The 32-year-old beat his Canadian opponent 6-2, 6-1 in Tokyo in his first match in the city for eight years.

Henman, who reached the last eight of the Thailand Open before being defeated by Paradorn Srichaphan last week, was rarely extended by Dancevic and had no problem beating the world number 88.

The 10th-seeded Englishmen received a bye to the second round and will next play either Robby Ginepri or Juan Martin Del Potro in the last 16.

After the match Henman praised the influence of young rival Andy Murray, who he beat in Bangkok last week.

He said: "Andy's had a positive effect in a number of different areas. It's great to have another player share the spotlight.

"It takes a bit of the pressure off and it's great that at the end of my career I can play with a little less expectation on me.

"I think I'll face Ginepri in the next round and I will probably go into that match as the underdog. I'll try to play the same way as I did today and see what happens. You've just got to keep plugging away."

Meanwhile, brothers Andy and Jamie Murray continued to impress as a doubles team with victory in the Japan Open first round.

They beat United States pair Eric Butorac and Travis Parrott 7-5, 6-3 in Tokyo, following their run to the Bangkok final last week.

The Scots, who may have a future as a partnership in Great Britain's Davis Cup side, will face Americans Paul Goldstein and Jim Thomas in the quarter-finals.

Andy Murray, who at 19 is a year younger than doubles expert Jamie, begins his singles campaign in Tokyo tomorrow when he tackles the Czech Republic's Jiri Novak.

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