Tim Henman has suffered an embarrassing defeat in the first round of the Australian Open, going out to a scarcely-known Frenchman.

Jerome Golmard kept steady over five sets to beat the British second seed 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3, 9-11.

Tim Henman during his first round exit

Henman, 23, easily defeated Golmard in straight sets during Wimbledon 1997 but this time his opponent, ranked 83 places below him, took an early lead and kept it.

In the final set, Henman saved three match points before finally being pushed out of the game and the tournament.

Before the end of the four hour 19 minute clash, qualifier Golmard was forced to take a break to treat his sore feet.

Henman, ranked 18th in the world, previously reached third place in the Australian Open.

But poor fore and back-hand play let him down, while Golmard won with a strong forehand.

Henman's defeat destroys any hopes of a quarter-final clash between him and the top British player, Greg Rusedski..
 

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