Henman is ready for scorching reception

But the major men's upsets on the opening day involved two former Australian Open finalists. Germany's Rainer Schuettler, the sixth seed who was trounced by Andre Agassi in last year's final, was ousted by 19-year-old Swede Robin Soderling, the World No57. Soderling, in only his fourth Grand Slam appearance, won 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.

Arnaud Clement, the 2001 finalist, suffered a similar fate after letting a two-set lead slip against Russian Nikolay Davydenko to go down 6-7, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. But there were no problems for World No1 Andy Roddick who used his big serve to subdue Chile's Fernando Gonzalez 6-2, 7-5, 7-6.

"I don't think it was a good draw for either one of us," Roddick said. "I knew I had to play well and I got lucky in the third set."

For Henman, though, there are no fears of an early exit or of the heat. The Briton, who practised with former world No1 Lleyton Hewitt for an hour today, said: "I don't mind if it does hit 37C for the match because that means the ball will be flying a bit more and that will suit me out there.

"The preparations have gone really well. Now, it's time to put it together on court and I am looking forward to my first match after a good build up.

"I have no worries about the heat being a factor and you deal with it by getting the preparations right and the correct fluids on board."

Henman opted to avoid further tournament tennis after Doha, preferring to work with Annacone on the outside courts at the championships. "The last few months have been a very positive time for me and I'm looking to extend that here in Melbourne," he added. "I always enjoy coming here and I'm looking forward to getting started."

The Oxford-born player lost to home favourite Pat Rafter in three sets in 2001 and was ousted in straight sets by Swede Jonas Bjorkman last year when he was the highest seed left in the tournament at that stage. If he beats Lisnard, Henman will face the winner of the first-round match between Italy's Davide Sanguinetti and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic.

British No2 Greg Rusedski was practising away from the tournament venue today and will try to put aside the negative publicity surrounding his positive test for nandrolone by beating former French Open champion Albert Costa tomorrow.

Victory against the Spaniard would set up a clash with either Australian Davis Cup player Wayne Arthurs or Croatian qualifier Roko Karanusic.