Henman closer to first home title

Tim Henman had a walkover into the semi-finals of the Samsung Open tennis tournament at Brighton today when his American opponent Chris Woodruff pulled out with a shoulder injury.

Woodruff hurt his shoulder in practice this morning and withdrew two hours before the quarter final starting time. Henman anticipated a tough test against Woodruff who beat him in the Australian Open last January.

Henman the No 1 seed now plays the Korean Hyung-Taik Lee, 24, in the semi-finals tomorrow. It will be the first meeting between Henman and Lee who beat Renzo Furlan of Italy 6-1 6-3 in the first of the quarter finals.

Henman said: "I have been trying to think of the last time I had a walkover. I had a long night in my match last night, demanding mentally. An extra day off may well help. I fully appreciate that a fully fit Chris Woodruff would have been a very difficult match."

Henman could still become a late entry into the eight man Masters Cup in Lisbon next week if one of the contenders withdraws with injury.

But Henman said: "I am not going to let my concentration waver. I want to finish the job here."

Henman has yet to win a tour title in Britain.

He has played in four finals this year, winning in Vienna last month.