Andy Murray said that a hectic schedule over the past fortnight had left him tired after a three-set win over Tim Henman here.
At the Masters Series event, Murray won 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 and showed only fitfully the big shots which have helped him climb to a career-high of 21 in the world rankings. It was his 18th win in 23 matches.
A finalist in Washington and semi-finalist in Toronto, Murray dropped the first set and in the decider fell a break of serve behind to his 31-year-old opponent.
The 19-year-old has set up a potential second-round clash with world No 1 and defending tournament champion Roger Federer. "I feel like I've played a lot of matches," Murray said. "I am a little bit tired but this is the Masters Series, an important tournament, and maybe now I've got a chance to play against Roger Federer. So I'm not going to be too tired for that one."
The Swiss player must beat Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan, against whom he holds a 2-0 career head-to-head record. Murray is eager to avenge last year's defeat by Federer in the Bangkok final.
For the second time in a week and the third in their careers, Murray got the better of Henman.
Last Wednesday in Toronto Britain's No 1 beat Britain's No 2 in straight sets. Yesterday, Henman adopted a more careful, patient approach.
Both had three points to break each other early - Henman in the third game and Murray in the fourth. But it was in the seventh that Henman took the lead, a fine chip and charge to the net followed up with a smash giving him the break he needed to go on and clinch the first set.
Murray, though, improved in the second set. He increased his first serve percentage, struck six aces including three in a row, and used his backhand pass up the line to telling effect. Having broken to lead 3-1, he faltered when serving for the set at 5-3 as Henman broke back. But a rash of forehand errors cost the older man his next service game and the set.
In the decider, Henman broke first to lead 2-1 before Murray levelled for 3-3. Henman made two successful challenges against line calls in the tenth game, one against the umpire's overall and was then wrongly ordered to replay the point. But, fired up, he held on.
Two games later, though, Murray moved to two match points with another whipped forehand pass crosscourt. Henman saved the first but was beaten on the second, Murray's backhand pass being angled too wide of his compatriot to control his last volley.
Greg Rusedski, the British No 3, had a seventh consecutive loss, 6-3, 6-4 to fourth seed Ivan Ljubicic.
