كتب : Reem Abulleil
Henman, currently ranked 56 in the world, claimed a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 victory over the Russian, who has been struggling with his comeback from a knee injury that prevented him from defending his title at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Henman, who reached the quarterfinals in Miami last year, next takes on 13th-seeded Lleyton Hewitt, who has an 8-0 head-to-head record lead over the Briton.
Earlier on Thursday, Henman’s compatriot, Greg Rusedski also advanced to the second round with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny.
Australian wildcard, Mark Philipoussis outlasted Davide Sanguinetti in a rain-interrupted first round clash, as he finally came through 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to set up a second round match against 23rd-seeded Jarkko Nieminen.
Other Thursday winners include American Vincent Spadea, Peruvian Luis Horna, Serbian rising teenager, Novak Djokovic and France’s Arnaud Clement.
Second-seed and last year’s runner-up, Rafael Nadal highlights the second round action on Friday as he opens against his fellow Spaniard and good friend, Carlos Moya.
On the women’s side, Holland’s Michaella Krajicek, America’s Jill Craybas, France’s Virginie Razzano and Russians, Elena Vesnina, Anna Chakvetadze and Ekaterina Bychkova all booked their second round spots on Thursday.
Top-seeded Amelie Mauresmo, third-seeded Justine Henin-Hardenne, and 24th-seeded Martina Hingis all feature in the second round matches on Friday.