Henman eases to win

Henman must do well in Stuttgart to reach the Masters Cup

Tim Henman romped to a crucial win in the Masters Series event in Stuttgart, with a 6-3 6-0 win over German Axel Pretzsch.

The Briton is aiming to reach the end-of-season Masters Cup, and needs good results in the last three events of the regular season.

He made a good start against Pretzsch with a break in the first game of the match.

And although the German broke back three games later, the Briton found his best form to lose just one more game from then on.

Axel Pretzsch was outclassed by Henman

"I had a pretty good idea of what I was up against but you still have to go out there and make sure you do the right things," said Henman.

"I'm playing really well at the moment and I'm looking forward to the remainder of the week."

The important Masters Series events this week in Stuttgart, and in two weeks in Paris, represent Henman's best chance to pick up the points he needs to extend his season.

Henman currently lies ninth in the race and needs to reach seventh to be sure of his place in the Masters Cup.

The top eight should qualify for the end-of-season event, but one place is held back for a Grand Slam winner outside the qualifying places but inside the top 20.

That place is almost certain to go to Goran Ivanisevic who lies 14th in the Champions Race after his win at Wimbledon.

Different approach

But Henman insists he is not preoccupied with thoughts of the Masters.

"I've dwelt on the consequences (of matches) too much in the past - that isn't the way to approach it," he said.

"The way I'm going to qualify for the Masters is to win matches.

"I'll win matches if I go out there and play each point and the next point as hard as I can."