Tim Henman: Certainly one of my best wins

The Briton proved he is not just in the prestigious Hanover tournament to make up the numbers with a stunning 7-5 6-1 triumph in his first match in the group stages.

Henman's movement around the court was exceptional and his serve and volley game proved too strong for his Chilean opponent, who needs a good tournament to pip Pete Sampras and finish the year as world No.1.

Henman later declared himself happy with his form: "Against Rios you have to move well. I felt very comfortable on the baseline, but knew I had to come in to put him under pressure.

"It did not work all the time, but overall it was a tactic that paid off."

But the chances of Henman's fellow Briton Greg Rusedski playing in the season-closing showpiece took a knock when Andre Agassi was named to play in the opening match against Spaniard Alex Corretja on Wednesday.

Agassi is suffering from an injured back, and Rusedski - first reserve for the tournament - will only play if the American is not fit to go on court.

Tim times it so right

The Rios contest began quietly and at 6-5 to Henman an evenly-matched first set looked to be heading for a tie-break.

Neither player had even managed a break-point, as service ruled the day.

A shell-shocked Rios contemplates his fate

But with Rios serving to stay in the set, Henman timed his assault to perfection and produced four excellent points.

First Rios misjudged a precise Henman lob, which clipped the baseline, and then he hit a backhand return long to make it 0-30.

Henman brought up the first break points of the match with an angled forehand approach shot which Rios had no answer to.

Despite his 0-40 advantage, Henman refused to relax and when Rios lobbed him he scrambled back and rescued the rally, forcing his opponent to put a backhand wide.

Having broken his opponent to love to take the set, a delighted Henman repeatedly punched the air.

Rios had a chance to get back in the match with a break-point at 1-1 in the second set - but Henman saved the day with a delightful drop volley and went on to win the game.

The British No.1 was now in superb form and Rios, looking strangely subdued, lost his next two service games in the face of some inspired returning.

It was then just a matter of serving out for the match, not always a formality for Henman, but the 24-year-old had no problems, moving to 40-15 to set up two match points.

Rios saved the first with a superb backhand service return but it was his final effort for Henman forced his rival to hit a forehand out of court and it was all over in 67 minutes.