Henman reaches Japan Open quarter-finals

Britain's Tim Henman finished off his rain-delayed match in style, beating Juan Martin Del Potro to reach the quarters at the Japan Open.

Britain's Tim Henman finished off his rain-delayed match in style in Tokyo on Friday, beating Juan Martin Del Potro to reach the quarter-finals at the Japan Open.

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The former world No.4, who made a big breakthrough 12 years ago here to reach the quarter-finals as a qualifier, took one hour and 40 minutes to notch a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory over the Argentine.

Henman hit a total of seven aces against Del Potro's two, including one in the tie-breaker to take a 5-1 lead, and fired another on his first match point.

"Even when I was a break down in the first set, I was hitting the ball well. I created a lot of opportunities. So I just stayed patient. I played better and better as the match went on, so I'm really pleased," said the 32-year-old.

"I lost my serve once and did a very good job to get in front in the second set. I really think the conditions suit me well."

It was the start of a long day for Henman, who has to come back to centre court later for his quarter-final match against Mario Ancic of Croatia.

Ancic, last year's runner-up and third seed here, eliminated 2003 Japan Open champion Rainer Schuettler of Germany 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Some matches were shifted to an indoor stadium nearby because of steady rain and were to start in the afternoon.