From the way things have started, it looks like henman might get a look at the king second serve quite frequently. only 1 out of 5 first serves in, in the first game - despite that the yank held to 15.

Whereas henman gets all his first serves in but is locked at 30-30

another first serve...40-30

and another first serve in...game 1-1

My prediction is a straight sets win for Tim, although King has come through qualifying and had an excellent 3 set win yesterday against Bobby Reynolds [7-6, 3-6, 6-3] I just can't see him troubling Tim unless Tim is extremely rusty. King is basically a futures level player, he has little success in challengers. Last week was pretty good for him, he beat a Canadian wc in rd1 of Granby before losing in straights to Aussie Nathan Healey who's ranked about 200.

I've just googled him, he's one of the many Americans who've developed through playing collegiate tennis and then moved onto the futures tour through wcs in local futures.

Slightly shaky start for Tim, I was a little worried at 30-30 in that last game.

40-30 to King now on his serve: 1-1. Henman looks to be returning the King serve well in these early stages

break point for tim!!

saved

Ad King

Deuce 3

Speaking before the match Tim said "I have a good record in Washington and I feel the conditions suit my style of play," Henman told his website.

"I'm ready to go," added the 31-year-old, who has not competed since losing to Roger Federer at Wimbledon. Defending champion Andy Roddick has pulled out of the Legg Mason Classic with injury, which could boost Tim Henman's chances of enjoying a good run in Washington.

"Obviously Andy withdrawing has opened up my section of the draw and I've got to make sure I make the most of it," said Henman.

"It would be nice to get a couple of matches under my belt early on and see where that takes me."

King takes the game with an ace and leads 2-1

Last year Henman lost here in rd2 to Wesley Moodie, 7-6, 7-5. Back in 2003, he won this tournament, beating Davydenko, Srichaphan and Gonzalez [final] along the way and the best win was against Roddick in the semis: 1-6, 6-3, 7-6[1]