Henman struggled to cope with Ferrero's skill Pictures from Henman's defeat

Henman took the first set but eventually lost 4-6 6-2 6-4 6-2 to last year's beaten finalist.

The Briton made a superb start and clinched the opening set on his second set point with a rasping cross-court forehand.

But after that it was one-way traffic as he struggled to cope with the Spaniard's power and clay-court skills.

Gamewatch: Henman v Ferrero

The first eight games of the match went with serve before Henman claimed the crucial break in the 10th game and it looked like a shock might be on the cards.

But despite requiring treatment on a finger injury, Ferrero got into gear in the second set, building up an early 2-0 lead.

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Although Henman broke back to level it at 2-2, the Spaniard started to find his rhythm, rattling off the next four games to take the set.

Henman was struggling to stem the winners on the Ferrero groundstrokes and found it increasingly difficult to win his own serve.

The Spaniard raced into a 3-1 lead in the third set with a break in the third game.

Although the crowd tried to lift Henman, the power of the Spaniard on his favourite surface was beginning to fray the edges of the Briton's game.

Ferrero wrapped up the set 6-4 with a deft cross-court forehand to take a two sets to one lead and control of the match.

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He won five games in a row in the fourth set to lead 5-1 and although Henman held his own serve, Ferrero served the match out to clinch a fourth round meeting with compatriot Felix Mantilla.