Henman outplays frustrated Murray at Thai Open

BANGKOK, Sep 27 (Reuters) Tim Henman condemned a frustrated Andy Murray to his ninth first-round exit of the year with an impressive 6-4 6-2 victory in an all-British clash at the Thailand Open today.

It took the former British number one 55 minutes to win the first set after Murray crawled back into the match from 5-2 down.

The Scottish teenager had beaten Henman on two previous occasions, at Masters tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati, but a heavy competition schedule looked to have taken its toll.

Murray, who lost to Roger Federer in the final here last year, staved off four set points before giving way in the first.

Henman then dominated the second set, varying his game and keeping his composure as Murray grew more frustrated by his own performance.

''My game got better and better as the match went on,'' Henman told a news conference.

''I started to dominate and get ahead. Even on the set points that I lost I still played good shots.'' The 32-year-old said he knew how to approach the game with Murray after playing him twice in the last seven weeks.

''He's the kind of player that the more you attack him, the better he plays,'' he said.

''I played patiently, my serve was good, and I had to vary my game and keep changing the pace.

''The quality of players he has beaten is what I can take confidence from.'' Murray thought his busy match schedule and an abrupt shift from clay to hardcourt had impacted on his performance.

''Maybe it was one match too many,'' he told reporters. ''I made a 20-hour flight then tried to play my best tennis. Normally when I lose I'm disappointed, but this time I'm not.

''It wasn't the best decision to play here, but it's something I'll learn from,'' he added.

Number three seed James Blake of the United States made light work of his opening match, taking just 45 minutes to get past Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-1 6-2.

''It's good to start out well, but difficult coming in as one of the favourites,'' Blake said.

''I don't go into tournaments expecting to win but here I feel good, my form is good, and I think it'll be a good tournament for me.'' Former world number one Marat Safin of Russia got past a tough first round test against Kevin Kim of the United States, going through 2-6 6-1 6-4.

Safin forced his way back into the match after losing the first set and said he was pleased with his form after a lengthy spell sidelined with a knee injury.

''I'm very happy with the way I'm moving and the way my knee is holding up,'' he told reporters.

''I'm facing some difficult matches in the next few rounds, even more difficult than today. It's not going to be easy here.'' Two Thai players went through to the second round for the first time in the competition's four-year history after Paradorn Srichaphan defeated Feliciano Lopez 6-1 6-4 and Danai Udomchoke beat Switzerland's George Bastl 6-3 6-0.

Reuters DH DB2124