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The British number one was reluctant to approach the net at times and failed to find consistency in his serve.

But he emerged from a three-hour examination on number one court to claim a 6-2 7-6 3-6 6-1 victory.

Henman started confidently, winning his opening service game to love and breaking Zib, who is ranked 211 places below him, to take control of the first set.

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With his own serve in good order, a second break of the Czech's serve at 5-2 wrapped up the opener.

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But both players lost serve twice in a rollercoaster second set, Henman double faulting on break point at 4-3 before saving two break points to avoid going 6-5 down.

A stunning cross-court lob earned the Briton an early advantage in the tie-break, but three times his volleying got him out of trouble with Zib holding a set point.

Henman also missed three opportunities of his own before finally prevailing 13-11 after a forehand winner down the line had brought up a fourth set point.

I thought I started really well and finished well, but the end of the second set and the third set was a dogfight Tim Henman Match reaction in full

The Briton appeared fatigued by his exertions and quickly found himself 3-0 down in the third, only to break back in between two confident service games to level at 3-3.

But Zib, a lucky loser in qualifying, responded by breaking to love at 4-3 and then held his nerve on his own serve to force a fourth set.

Annoyed at this lapse, Henman got back into his groove in the fourth set.

With his serve on song again, he broke Zib twice to wrap up what had until that point been a close-fought contest.

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Henman admitted the unexpected defeat of top seed Lleyton Hewitt had made him realise an upset could have been on the cards.

"It was certainly not an easy match for me," said the 28-year-old Briton.

"Hewitt crossed my mind a couple of times but it gave me added incentive to knuckle down and get the job done.

"Zib does not have a grass court game or a lot of experience in Grand Slams but it demonstrates the strength in depth in the men's game.

"Everybody can play and (Ivo) Karlovic yesterday emphasised that."