British number one Tim Henman began the defence of his Masters series title in Paris with a straight-sets victory over Paradorn Srichaphan. Henman, who had beaten the Thai six times in their last seven games, was in control from the start, breaking to go 4-2 up and winning the first set 6-3.
The second set went with serve until a Srichaphan error put Henman 5-4 up and he sealed his 6-3 6-4 win with an ace.
Henman will face Mikhail Youzhny or Jiri Novak in the third round.
Afterwards, Henman said he was satisfied with his display, coming after his quarter-final defeat by Jiri Novak at last week's Swiss Indoor tournament, and a second round defeat in his previous event in Madrid.
"I was relaxed and much more disciplined than I was in Basle for example," he said.
"I served consistently and was able to get on the offensive all the time."
A medical examination after his Madrid defeat revealed Henman was suffering from a magnesium deficiency, and he said he was glad to have shaken this off.
"I had some issues in Madrid but I feel much better. I felt exhausted in Spain, this is not the case any more and I hope I will keep playing the way I did here.
"When you serve that well you have a chance to dominate the match and that's what happened."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
