First-round result:

T Henman (GB) v M Russell (US)

6-1 7-6 (7-5)

By Chris Bevan

SECOND SET

Henman 7-6 (7-5) Russell
Henman makes a strong start to the tie-break and after he races into a 4-1 lead the Nottingham crowd sense that victory is close. Russell keeps fighting but a delicious whipped forehand gives Henman two match points and he goes on to clinch a long-awaited victory with a well-placed backhand.

"Tim can be very very pleased with his performance here today. The week before Wimbledon he has won a first-round match for the first time in months and tomorrow he will have another game on grass."
BBC Radio Nottingham commentator Colin Slater

Henman 6-6 Russell
Russell is still checking his mouth for blood but soldiers on regardless. Some good tennis by 'Iron Mike' sees him survive again.

Henman 6-5 Russell
Russell is given a mouthful of Henman serve to chew on in the first point and, understandably, never really recovers.

"Russell's nose is looking a bit red and he looks like he is chewing a tube of fruit pastilles as he tries to get the feeling back in his jaw."
BBC Radio Nottingham commentator Dave Jackson

Henman 5-5 Russell
Henman has a chance to close this one out but instead he produces his worst return game of the set. A peach of a forehand on the first point is a false dawn and three loose shots mean Russell is still alive and kicking.

Henman 5-4 Russell
Another poor service game by Henman but again Russell is not quite disciplined enough to take advantage. Henman regains his composure and seems to have rediscovered his first serve too.

Henman 4-4 Russell
Russell's nicknames are 'Iron Mike' and 'Mighty Mouse'. Easy to explain both really - he's not the biggest of fellas but he has clearly been working out. He's still in this match too, and his first ace of the afternoon pegs Henman back again.

Henman 4-3 Russell
A pivotal game for both players. Four double-faults from Henman help to give Russell a way in but Henman keeps his cool and digs deep to save four break points and hold serve. Fist-pumping stuff.

"We know what Henman can be like when he wins a first set comfortably - he never seems to close out the game so easily after that."
BBC Radio Nottingham commentator Dave Jackson

Henman 3-3 Russell
Russell has started to realise that his best bet is to wear down Henman's backhand and he is not exactly hiding the fact - almost every shot is down that side. The tactic works though and the score is level again.

Henman 3-2 Russell
Russell's reaction to his latest wild forehand is to smash himself over his head with his racquet. Ouch! Probably just as well for him he doesn't do that after every unforced error. Henman is looking cool, calm and collected and some neat volleys put him back in front.

Henman 2-2 Russell
Russell is not going to go easily though. Henman is trying to second-guess the American but he gets it wrong twice here and we are all-square again.

Henman 2-1 Russell
Henman's serve is back on track and Russell can do nothing to stop him. An easy game for The British No.2.

Henman 1-1 Russell
Back to square one for Russell - he's just too wild to tame Tiger Tim. Three groundstrokes fly wide and yet another double-fault levels the score in the second set.

Henman 0-1 Russell
Play is held up while a spectator receives medical attention - I suspect the heat might have got the better of her - but all's well and she is soon back on her feet. The delay does not help Henman's disjointed service though and Russell breaks for the first time today.

FIRST SET

Henman 6-1 Russell
Russell's errors are costing him dear - he is going for winners but finding the wrong side of the lines. Henman's not complaining though, and another double-fault by the American hands him the first set.

Henman 5-1 Russell
Henman's first serve is just not happening but his second delivery still causes Russell more than enough problems. So far, so good.

Henman 4-1 Russell
Russell finds his game at last and finally gets on the board. Henman is unhappy with one line-call but, in the absence of Hawk-eye at Nottingham, he will have to grin and bear it.

Henman 4-0 Russell
The Henman serve is quite not firing on all cylinders but Russell cannot take advantage. Henman has to save a break point but he does so with ease and the next two points are textbook Tim tennis: serve-return-winner x2 makes it 4-0.

Henman 3-0 Russell
It's early days but I am not sure grass is the ideal surface for Russell's baseline game. Henman's simply too hot for him at the moment anyhow - and a backhand winner on the run wraps up his second break of the match.

Henman 2-0 Russell
Russell is known for his tenacity and you can see why - he chases everything down. Not a straightforward game for Henman but he wins one elongated rally with a crisp forehand and a superb smash from the back of the court helps ensure he holds serve.

Henman 1-0 Russell
Henman has got to be happy with that. He didn't have to do an awful lot thanks to two double-faults by Russell but still looks confident enough as he breaks the American in the very first game.

1344: Play begins and it is Russell to serve first.

1330: The sun is out in Nottingham and Henman and Russell are on court warming-up.

If ever anyone needs a win, then it's our Tim today. Henman has won only one ATP tour match this year and is desperate for some practice on grass as he tries to recover some semblance of form before Wimbledon begins on 25 June.