Henman starts new year with a bang

British number one Tim Henman began the new year in winning style on Tuesday, beating Richard Fromberg in the opening round of the Australian men's hardcourt tennis championship.

Henman, who has fond memories of Australia after capturing his first professional title in Sydney in 1997, overcame a lapse in concentration during the second set to beat Fromberg 6-3 6-7 6-0.

The match at Adelaide's Memorial Drive was interrupted several times because of thunderstorms before Henman, the top seed, raced away with the deciding third set.

"It was hard for both of us taking the wind and the rain breaks into consideration and I was really pleased with the way I played," Henman said.

"I felt it was as good tennis as I was able to play in those conditions.

"I would have liked to have finished it off in two sets but he came out with some great shots in the tiebreak.

"When we came back in the third set (after a rain break) I tried to up the energy."

Rain returned to halt the match between former U.S. Open finalist Mark Philippoussis and France's Julien Boutter. Play was called off for the night with the big-serving Australian leading 6-3 1-0.

Denmark's Kenneth Carlsen advanced after beating surprise opponent Wayne Black in three sets.

The Zimbabwean doubles specialist was called up as a last-minute replacement when Germany's Nicolas Keifer withdrew because of a shoulder injury and gave Carlsen a real fright until running out of gas to go down 7-6 6-7 6-0.

STRAIGHT SETS

Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela and Chile's Nicolas Massu both had an easier time, advancing in straight sets, along with Dutchman Sjeng Schalken, but the foul weather prevented any more matches from being completed.

Chela beat Paraguay's Ramon Delgado 6-1 6-3, Massu defeated Hungary's Attila Savolt 6-2 6-1 while Schalken's match with Alex Kin of the U.S. ended 6-3 6-2.

Three singles matches, including the all-American clash between Pete Sampras and Todd Martin, were postponed until Wednesday before a ball was hit.

Henman was promoted to top seed after last year's winner, Australia's current world number one Lleyton Hewitt, opted to play the Hopman Cup in Perth instead.

The Australian men's hardcourt is the first men's tournament of the year and one of the main lead-up events to the January 14-27 Australian Open.