Gamewatch: Gasquet v Henman

Result:

Qatar Open, Doha - first round

T HENMAN GB bt R GASQUET (3)

6-4 6-4

---

Second Set

Gasquet 4-6 Henman
The French teenager is not making it easy for Henman. The Briton has match-point in sight at 40-30 but the third seed saves with a powerful diagonal forehand. Gasquet moves to advantage thanks to a lucky net cord but Henman saves deuce at the net. The Frenchman wastes another break point by going long and this time Henman takes advantage for a second match-point. Gasquet forces him back to deuce with a brilliant backhand. An ace from Henman and another powerful serve sees Henman home in calm style.

Gasquet 4-5 Henman
Gasquet plays a cool game, meaning Henman must serve out for the match.

Gasquet 3-5 Henman
The third seed shows signs of a fightback with a rasping forehand at 15-30 but Henman answers with a fiery shot of his own at 30-30. The Briton takes advantage as Gasquet edges wide but the tense game goes back to deuce. Henman hangs on to his serve to edge closer to the match.

Gasquet 3-4 Henman
Gasquet scurries around the court to make sure he moves to 30-15 before throwing down an ace. But the Frenchman's hurried play takes him to deuce and a wide call sees Henman handed a vital break.

Gasquet 3-3 Henman
Henman stays solid as he holds to love for the second time in the match.

Gasquet 3-2 Henman
The third seed lets Henman in with two break points at 0-30 and the Briton moves to 15-40 with a pinpoint forehand down the line. But some hasty play from Henman sees the third seed hold.

Gasquet 2-2 Henman
Gasquet seems to be struggling for consistency as he slides from 15-30 to 40-30. The 19-year-old saves deuce with a fizzing, low shot across the court but Henman holds.

Gasquet 2-1 Henman
Another skillful passing shot from Gasquet takes him to 30-0 and Henman is being made to think in this second set. But the third seed drifts the ball long to slide to 30-30 and Henman carves a break chance with a forehand slice down the line. Gasquet stand stock still as Henman breaks back with an easy volley.

Gasquet 2-0 Henman
The third seed is back to the powerful form with which he began the match and he moves to 15-40. Gasquet takes an early break with a solid backhand return.

Gasquet 1-0 Henman
Gasquet seems to have recovered a little of his spark as he quickly moves to 40-0 and wraps up the first game.

First Set

Gasquet 4-6 Henman
The 31-year-old produces another good first serve to move to 30-0. Gasquet nicks a point at the net at 40-15 but Henman delivers an ace to win the game and the first set.

Gasquet 4-5 Henman
Henman has two set-points but Gasquet moves in with an overhead smash to save the first and the Briton hastily nets the ball to lose his second chance. The French teenager saves a third break chance with a powerful backhand and Henman must serve out for the set.

Gasquet 3-5 Henman
The atmosphere around the court might be a little flat but Henman is in buoyant mood as he races to hold to love.

Gasquet 3-4 Henman
The momentum of the match seems to have swung in Henman's favour and the good news is he is moving around the court well to match his teenage opponent. Henman skims the ball expertly over the net at 30-30 and goes to deuce as Gasquet rashly hits the ball wide - but the third seed holds.

Gasquet 2-4 Henman
Henman consolidates the break with a solid service game which he takes to 15.

Gasquet 2-3 Henman
Gasquet hands Henman three break points because of some rash errors. The Frenchman saves them all - the last with a whipped cross-court forehand. Henman carves a sixth break point and this time he takes it with his trademark steady hands at the net.

Gasquet 2-2 Henman
Henman opts to go on the attack against Gasquet, who he is meeting for the first time, and takes the first three points with ease. But the Frenchman rallies, lashing a powerful diagonal shot past Henman for deuce. The 31-year-old recovers at the net and will be relieved to stave off Gasquet's break chance.

Gasquet 2-1 Henman
Gasquet shows his pace and accuracy as he quickly holds to 15 with some excellent groundstrokes down the line.

Gasquet 1-1 Henman
Henman looks solid on his first service game and he moves to 30-15 as Gasquet lashes the ball high and long. The third seed passes Henman at the net again at 40-30 but the Briton holds.

Gasquet 1-0 Henman
Gasquet gets the match under way in Doha and Henman takes the first point as the French teenager shoots the ball long. The Briton advances to the net but he cannot get past Gasquet, who holds to 15.

Henman is taking on French third seed Gasquet in his opening match of 2006.

Henman aims to bounce back from a poor finish to last season where back and shoulder injuries and a lack of form saw him slide to 36 in the world rankings.