Henman ends Tursunov jinx to reach Stella semis

LONDON, June 16 (Reuters) Tim Henman broke his jinx against Dmitry Tursunov today, beating the Russian 6-3 7-6 to reach the semi-finals of the Stella Artois Championships.

Henman was knocked out of Wimbledon by Tursunov last year and also lost to him at this year's Australian Open and French Open, but today the Briton had the better of a scrappy encounter on the Queen's Club grass.

Two players who pride themselves on their penetrating serves exchanged multiple breaks in the match and Henman tossed away a 4-2 lead in the second set.

The four-times Wimbledon semi-finalist had to save a set point before rattling through the tiebreak 7-1, sealing victory with a big forehand.

''He's beaten me on a couple of big occasions and he's an awkward guy to play against, so it's good to get through and continue my form,'' said 31-year-old Henman.

''I feel good about my game. After struggling on grass the last two years I do feel much more comfortable.'' Later today Spain's French Open champion Rafael Nadal faces former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt, with the winner playing Henman in the last four.

French teenager Gael Monfils quit his quarter-final against American James Blake due to a back injury.

The 19-year-old had lost the first set 6-1 to Blake when he retired. A tournament spokesman said Monfils would not play in next week's Nottingham grasscourt event.

Monfils now faces a race to be fit for the Wimbledon grasscourt grand slam which starts on June 26.

Blake will play the winner of the last quarter-final between defending champion Andy Roddick and Chilean Fernando Gonzalez.

REUTERS PDS PM2028