First round result:

T HENMAN (GB) bt D TURSUNOV (Rus)

6-4 3-6 6-3 6-4

* denotes server

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By Piers Newbery

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on the US Open

Fourth set:

2320: "I'm now doing a victory dance round my living room!"
From Paul, Lincs, via text

2316: Well, I don't know about you but I can't say I was expecting that. Not only did Henman surprise the 27th seed, he played as well as at any time since winning in Paris four years ago. It's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga next for the Henmanator (sorry), while Andy Murray is scheduled first on tomorrow at 1600 BST.

2314: "Someone get Spielberg on the phone. Possible making of US version of the film Wimbledon? 'Flushing Meadows' has a nice film title to it!"
From Tom via text

2314: "Roar goes the tiger!"
From James via text

2314: "He looks fit, he looks good, he deserved to win the match and played it tactically perfect."
5live analyst Jeff Tarango

Henman 6-4 Tursunov
Henman finds two first serves and sharp volleys followed by a huge unreturnable serve. It's 40-0 and three match points, and the crowd goes wild. Henman sticks a forehand into the net on the first but then thumps a big serve that Tursunov cannot handle - he's only gone and done it!

Henman 5-4 Tursunov
A more solid game on serve from Tursunov and it's up to Tim to serve it out. We've been here a squillion times, but if he manages to carry on his form of the last hour or so he should be OK.

2308: "Why is he retiring again?"
From Chris via text

Henman 5-3 Tursunov
We are getting a tantalising glimpse of what Henman could have achieved in his career with a top-class serve - it's working beautifully today. From 0-15 he hits two aces, a service winner and an angled volley. Amazing stuff.

Henman 4-3 Tursunov
Things are looking very good for Henman at 15-30 up but Tursunov comes up with a couple of big serves. Time for some inspiration and Henman finds it with a magnificent cross-court forehand winner, but Tursunov hangs on.

2303: "4-2? 4-2??? Surely I will wake up soon!"
From Heidi via text

Henman 4-2 Tursunov
"He's going to win it," mutters a colleague who knows a lot more about football than tennis. Cool your boots everyone. An excellent service game is finished off with a service winner, and Henman edges closer.

Henman 3-2 Tursunov
Strap yourselves in and give all your loose change to your mum, we're on a rollercoaster! Tursunov plays a game that is familiar to me, as it is a mixture of double faults and wild groundstrokes interspersed with moments of genius. Two big forehand errors give Henman another break and the Briton has a smile to himself. He's been here before.

Henman 2-2 Tursunov
OK, Tursunov has gone back to the all-red outfit that is a nightmare for someone of his complexion. Reckless. Still, it seems to work as he gets back to pumelling Henman's serve and earns two break points. Henman is looking solid today though, saving the first at the net and then thumping a big serve out wide, but Tursunov converts his third chance with a fantastic return. I am determined not to use the world rollercoaster today. Oh dear.

2249: "This is time warp tennis. The best I've seen from him since 2004!"
From Roy via text

Henman 2-1 Tursunov
It's like stepping back to 1997, only we don't have to listen to D:Ream. Henman plays an absolutely superb game after Tursunov opens with a double fault, obviously, the Briton rushing the net at every opportunity and playing one exquisite drop volley on his way to breaking to love. Surely he will serve this one out with no dramas? No?

Henman 1-1 Tursunov
Henman is serving as well as ever at the moment, two aces helping him to a love game.

Henman 0-1 Tursunov
A trademark Tursunov double fault helps Henman to a break point but he misses with an ambitious backhand down the line. Never fear, another Tursunov double is never far away. This time, Henman has a great chance to pass Tursunov on the forehand but blows it. The Russian shows him how on the next point with arguably the shot of the match so far. That could have been a key moment as Tursunov was looking a beaten man for a moment there.

2235: "We love you Henman we do, we love you Henman we do. Come on Henman you can do it!"
From methers on 606

2233: "Tim's got to turn up the heat one more notch, and if he does that I think he can run away with what would be a big upset."
5live analyst Jeff Tarango

Third set:

Henman 6-3 Tursunov
Happy days! With the adrenaline pumping, Henman gets to 40-15 and two set points to the delight of the New York crowd. Tursunov saves the first with a backhand pass but Henman seals it with a backhand volley. And a subway train wails in the background, as if to signify.... nothing relevant.

2229: "Whatever the outcome, Tim has done us proud in this match. Go Tim! (and hurry up Rafa - wrap it up!) "
From Heidi via text

Henman 5-3 Tursunov
A superb bit of scrambling from Henman deep behind the baseline forces a volleying error from Tursunov and at break point, guess what? Tursunov double faults! No he doesn't, he goes for Hawkeye seemingly in desperation but the computer wizadry says it was in. Tim is not impressed, gesturing as if to say it was six inches out. No matter, on the replayed point Henman gets to the net, thumps away a volley and gives a little skip of delight. A bit like Edberg used to.

Henman 4-3 Tursunov
It's pretty quiet on Louis Armstrong Stadium at the moment as the set inches towards the business end. Henman hits aces number eight and nine of the day to hold. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal is about to finish off Alun Jones in four sets on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

2219: "Come on Tim, you ain't supposed to win, remember the Paris Masters - go Tim go."
From Tim in Horwich via text

Henman 3-3 Tursunov
The wires have come loose in Tursunov's brain again as he double faults twice to go to deuce. An athletic smash and a wayward Henman return give Tursunov the game.

Henman 3-2 Tursunov
Another close game on Henman's serve, with Tursunov throwing in a comedy tumble on his way to deuce. Henman does his Sampras impression again, coming up with a volley and an ace.

2209: "Piers, you said nothing about the Tiger's facial hair at the start of your coverage. Has it really been that long a match?"
From Dave Hunter, Warrington, via text (Only just noticed it, but it pales in comparison to the growth I've managed in just three nights of this. Like Borg, I refuse to shave during Grand Slams)

Henman 2-2 Tursunov
Tursunov, who has returned to a white T-shirt, red shorts combo, holds easily and we're all square.

2204: "Of course Tiger Tim won't win the US Open. He'll lose the final after a 6 hour epic. He's British remember. Got to do it the hard way and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Saw lovely Lucy in Didcot cinema. Heavily pregnant and paying to see knocked up!"
From Butcher boy, Didcot, via text

Henman 2-1 Tursunov
Things are most definitely looking up when our man moves 30-15 up but a couple of sloppy volleys hand Tursunov a break-back chance. Henman attacks the net but can only volley to the Russian's feet and a backhand pass gives Tursunov the break.

Henman 2-0 Tursunov
Oh, I say! Timbo bends down to plonk a deft drop shot over the net, then sees Tursunov hammer a groundstroke long before following up with a double fault. He's back!

2157: "There is nothing better than watching a Tim Henman tennis match, not great for the nerves but the thrills will be hugely missed!"
From Hodgey via text

Henman 1-0 Tursunov
Henman, who looks to be sporting a hint of facial hair, gets back on track with an ace at 30-30 and holds serve.

2153: "COME ON TIM! We all know he will finish his career off by winning this US Open! Imagine that?!"
From David via text

Second set:

Henman 3-6 Tursunov
Henman tries a new tactic, walloping a return straight at Tursunov's most delicate region and forcing the Russian to take evasive action. Unfortunately, the return goes out and Tursunov wraps up the set relatively comfortably. But let's stay positive everyone.

Henman 3-5 Tursunov
A few more sticky moments for Britain's (second) best but he swings wildly at a forehand and it flies in to seal the game and put a little bit of pressure back onto Tursunov.

2143: "C'mon tim! No matter how much that guy is criticised for lack of slams, there's no doubt he's a total legend. I'll miss him."
From Haz via text

Henman 2-5 Tursunov
Henman puts the pressure on, with the help of a successful Hawkeye challenge, but Tursunov holds firm from deuce.

2139: "As a trained monkey catcher, clearly the most effective means of catching a monkey is with a banana and a big net."
From Chris the monkey catcher in Sheffield via text

Henman 2-4 Tursunov
And it had all been going so well... Henman dumps a woeful forehand into the bottom of the net to give Tursunov two break points. The Briton saves the first but Tursunov hits a spectacular backhand return on the second and he gets his first break of the day.

Henman 2-3 Tursunov
After the drama of the previous game, Tursunov holds to love. Henman has clearly returned to the softly, softly, catchy monkey tactic of earlier. I love that phrase.

2132: "There's so much good sport on at the moment! Shame it's either bed time or Big B time, but hey! Tim can pull a fast one here, get a couple of matches won and go out with a bang!"
From Slam via text

Henman 2-2 Tursunov
Tursunov has changed his shirt and is now wearing all red with a white cap. Coupled with his strawberry blond hair and pale complexion, I'd say it's not a good look. I think I need to get some sleep. Anyway, Henman has a game point but Tursunov responds with a running forehand pass and a winning volley to get a break point. Crunch time, and Henman thumps down three big serves and holds. It's like watching Sampras.

Henman 1-2 Tursunov
Good old Dmitry, you can rely on him to be completely unreliable. Successive double faults have him in trouble at 15-30 and Henman then misses a makeable volley, before Tursunov gets his serve back on track.

2120: "Timmytops - good luck with the game. We really want you to win. However, has anyone noticed the Nadal/Never heard of Aussie playing at the same time.......Cmon Aussie, Cmon Cmon....."
From TripleM65 on 606 (Nadal is one set all against Aussie Alun Jones)

Henman 1-1 Tursunov
The second point of the game sums up the match so far as Tursunov absolutely batters a succession of groundstrokes, Henman keeps chipping them back and the Russian ends up belting it out. The Brit is serving much better now as well.

Henman 0-1 Tursunov
Henman hits a blistering return winner as the second set starts but Tursunov comes through to hold.

2114: "The New Yorkers like Tim's attacking style - we want our players to play like that."
5live analyst Jeff Tarango

First set:

Henman 6-4 Tursunov
Henman serves for the set and kicks off with a double fault - classic Tim, we'll miss this you know. Fortunately, Tursunov is enduring one of his customary meltdowns and thumps a forehand about 10ft long to give Henman set point. A lengthy rally ensues, Henman comes in and plays a drive volley, Tursunov hammers it back past him. The Russian then hits an even better backhand pass to get a break point but Henman comes up with a big second serve - not something you see every day. A second set point arrives and Henman takes it at the net. Not sure how he managed it but Henman is a set up.

Henman 5-4 Tursunov
He's only gone and broken! Henman gets to 30-30 with a forehand return winner and then earns a break point with a fine rally finished off at the net. And on break point, Henman wisely ignores those who questioned his chipping-and-charging by rushing the net and forcing an error.

Henman 4-4 Tursunov
Well, there's not much doubt Tursunov looks the more dangerous player but Henman has worked his way into the set. From 40-0 he is hauled back to deuce but comes up with a good serve-volley before Tursunov thumps a forehand winner down the line. Henman holds with a service winner and a fine volley.

2053: "VOTE TIM. Oh sorry, I thought this was X-Off Big Dancing Celebrity Brother on ice. Come on Chicken Boy - geddit? Play on Henman? No? Ok then, I'll go back to the real entertainment. Come on, erm, Davina!"
Cressida in Norwich via text

Henman 3-4 Tursunov
Tursunov cracks! Sort of. Henman whips a forehand pass down the line on the opening point and the Russian then double faults. At 0-30 and on second serve, Tim chips and charges again. He's barely made the service line before the ball girl is collecting a Tursunov winner. A let cord on the next point helps Tursunov to battle back and hold.

Henman 3-3 Tursunov
Henman whacks an ace down the 'T' to go to 40-0 and the crowd gives a few whoops, and maybe a holler or two. Tursunov proceeds to get a couple of points back before Henman serves out.

2047: "Come on Tiger make us proud on your last tour outing!!"
Mark, Gloucestershire, via text

Henman 2-3 Tursunov
Henman gets his first couple of points on the Tursunov serve but at 40-30 the Russian fires down another huge delivery. More encouraging signs for Henman though, as he starts to draw the odd error from his opponent. Softly, softly, catchy monkey.

2043: "Tim's experience could really help him here today. He wants to get his rhythm on his own serve and then start chipping away on Tursunov's serve."
5live analyst Jeff Tarango

Henman 2-2 Tursunov
Tursunov overdoes it on a couple of returns and Henman gets a relatively easy hold to 15, which will be a bit of a relief after hanging on a bit in the early stages.

Henman 1-2 Tursunov
After a couple of service winners Henman goes for the old chip-and-charge, only to see the ball walloped back past him. Probably not a great tactic today. Tursunov holds to love again.

Henman 1-1 Tursunov
Two dodgy forehands see Henman fall 15-30 behind but he levels things with a sharp volley. Moments later another forehand error from Henman gives Tursunov break point but the Brit saves it with a big first serve and goes on to hold. The danger signs are there though, with Tursunov dominating any long rallies from the baseline.

Henman 0-1 Tursunov
Tursunov, now wearing a cap, smacks down an ace on the first point and adds another two points later, as well as a thumping great forehand to hold to love.

2025: "Come on Tim, show us that game that has been so desperately lacking recently and at least have a decent run to the quarters!"
Dan, Worcester, via text

2022: The players are out on Louis Armstrong Court knocking up in a blistering 28C, Tursunov in a fairly ropey red and white outfit and Henman in pristine white. Lovely.

2015: If you have one of those mobile telephones and are fortunate enough to live in the UK, text me your thoughts on Tim's progress on 81111. And if you're near a radio there is live commentary of the match on BBC Radio 5live sports extra, although unfortunately we don't have online rights. And if your neighbours have got satellite TV you could peer through their window, although they might be watching Celebrity Dance Club Factor. Or whatever.

2010: "Henman could pull this off if he plays well and aggressively and puts pressure on Tursunov. I saw him play a practice match with Federer last Friday and he was definitely on form."
bagel4732 on 606

2005: Henman has been in relaxed mood in New York since announcing his imminent retirement, and the phrase 'nothing to lose' has rarely been more appropriate. Unfortunately, Tursunov is not a man who exactly carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. I watched him practising at the French Open and he spent the whole time playing trick shots and chatting to passing girls. He is 'a little bit crazy'.