Escude denies Henman

Henman allowed Escude to break twice in the final set

N Escude defeats T Henman 3-6 7-6 6-4

Tim Henman suffered a third dose of Rotterdam misery after losing in three sets to Nicolas Escude in the final of the World Indoor ATP tournament.

The British number one was hoping to make up for the disappointment of finishing runner-up in Rotterdam in 1999 and 2000 by taking his 10th career title.

But he came unstuck after taking the first set, and two breaks of serve in the final set allowed Escude to defend his crown.

Escude beat Henman in Rotterdam last year

Escude admitted his three-set victory over his fellow Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean on Saturday had taken a lot out of him.

"I was very very tired at the start, but after winning the tie-break, the match was easier for me," said Escude.

"I don't know why but in the last three matches I've always started playing better from the middle of second sets."

And sixth seed Henman took advantage early in the match by breaking in the fourth game to go 3-1 ahead.

The Frenchman had a chance to break back when Henman was serving for the set but the British number one held his nerve to take it 6-3.

Escude had beaten Henman in four of their five previous meetings, including a straight-sets victory in the second round at Rotterdam last year.

Momentum

And he turned the tables on Henman early in the second set by breaking him for the first time to go 3-1 up.

Henman faced another break point at 1-4 but bounced back to hold serve.

He then fought his way to three break points as Escude served for the set and made no mistake to cut the deficit to 5-4.

Henman then saved two set points at 5-6 to take the set into a tie-break.

I don't think I returned his second serves too well today which made the difference

Tim Henman

Escude started well by breaking Henman's opening serve and eventually closed it out 9-7 to level the match.

The momentum was now with the Frenchman and he took control of the decider by breaking Henman in the third game.

Henman saved another break point at 2-4 and threw himself a lifeline by breaking back in the eighth game to level at 4-4.

But he failed to hold his next service game and Escude survived a break point at 5-4 to close out the match.

Henman said he hope one day to win the tournament after three final defeats.

"Nic is a player who plays better when he's behind and he proved that today," added Henman.

"I don't think I returned his second serves too well today which made the difference."