Tim weathers storm to beat Greg

Though neither player was expecting to contest Sunday's final, both have been eager for practice on clay ahead of the French Open.

That factor suggested a closely-fought match, despite Rusedski having lost his past five matches against Henman, most recently this February.

There has been a new assurance to Henman's play on clay since his surprise run to the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year.

The story is different for Rusedski, however, as the 31-year-old has not made the third round at any tournament this season, threatening his world ranking for the grass-court season. He dearly wishes to be among the 32 seeds at Wimbledon, but needs some good results quickly.

Andre Agassi joined the topname casualties in Hamburg, the American losing 6-2, 7-6 to Spain's unseeded Feliciano Lopez.

Ninth seed David Nalbandian also went out, 7-6, 7-5 to Sweden's Robin Soderling, but fellow Argentines Guillermo Coria and Gaston Gaudio and Russian third seed Marat Safin all won easily.

Czech teenager Tomas Berdych beat Spain's David Ferrer in three sets and will now tackle world No1 Roger Federer, whom he defeated at last year's Athens Olympics.

Meanwhile, Lleyton Hewitt is a doubt starter for this month's French Open after breaking two ribs in an accidental fall at his home in Sydney.

Three- times French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten lost 6-3, 6-0 to Tommy Robredo.

Once the top player on clay, Kuerten is now 2-4 on the surface since returning in April, seven months after hip surgery.

Kuerten broke Robredo's serve for a 3-2 lead in the first set - but failed to win another game in the traditional warm up for the French Open.

Robredo, seeded 14th, needed just 62 minutes for victory over the 2000 Hamburg champion, who had 32 unforced errors to Robredo's 14.

In another early match, Juan Ignacio Chela beat Robin Soderling 6-1, 6-4.