Tim Henman recovered from a set down to beat Vince Spadea in an error-strewn match at the Monte Carlo Masters. Henman lost the first set in a tight tie-break, and then found himself a break down in the second.
But the British sixth seed rallied, breaking back twice, to take the second set and level the match.
Henman twice surrendered breaks in the final set, but eventually won a deciding tie-break for a 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-5) victory.
"The win is the most important thing," said Henman of his patchy performance.
"From 2002 I've got some good memories from when I reached the semi-finals, but it's very different conditions this year."
Henman was helped when Spadea was given a point penalty for an audible obscenity in the deciding tie-break.
In the end it proved to be the difference between the two.
Next up for Henman is David Sanchez of Spain, who beat Bohdan Ulihrach 6-1 6-4.
MMIX
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