Henman set for time-out

Tim Henman intends to consult his surgeon in London today and have an MRI scan before deciding whether or not to forgo the Australian Open in Melbourne during January in order to rest his injured right shoulder. The hope is that the British No 1 will be fit to compete in the Davis Cup tie in Australia 12 days after the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Having continued to play since August in spite of an inflamed shoulder ­ heroically keeping Britain in the World Group of the Davis Cup in the qualifying round against Thailand in Birmingham in September ­ Henman was in a quandary after losing to Nicolas Escude, of France, 6-4, 6-2, in the the third round of the Paris Masters here yesterday.

While waiting to see if subsequent results would enable him still to qualify for the Masters Cup in Shanghai, which starts in 11 days' time, Henman said he would go to China as one of the eight participants, but not as an alternate. Carlos Moya as good as made Henman's decision for him last night by winning an extraordinary match against Sebastien Grosjean, of France, the defending champion, 3-6, 7-6, 6-1, to push Henman out of the frame.

"I'm going to make sure that I get the shoulder right," Henman said. "Unfortunately, if that means missing Australia, then I've got to do that. The doctor said it can take a couple of months to get rid of the inflammation and the pain and then work very hard on strengthening to make sure I don't have any problems."

Moya had to save six match points in the second set before overcoming Grosjean, three of them at 5-6 and three in the tie-break, which the Spaniard won, 12-10. Moya, Jiri Novak, of the Czech Republic, and the American Andy Roddick remain in contention for the Masters Cup. Roger Federer, of Switzerland, booked his ticket by eliminating Germany's Tommy Haas, 6-2, 7-6, and Juan Carlos Ferrero, of Spain, is another confirmed starter.

Andre Agassi, who had qualified for Shanghai before arriving in Paris, continued his push for the year-end No 1 ranking, winning a hard-fought contest against Thomas Johansson, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3. But Agassi injured his left leg in the process. He is due to play Moya in the opening match today.

Escude, like Henman, is among the finest serve and volleyers among a dwindling number, but only the Frenchman served well enough yesterday. Henman has been taking anti-inflammatory medication for the past three weeks, but he was evidently in pain yesterday. Although he broke to lead 2-0 in the first set, Escude then exchanged breaks of serve, and Henman double-faulted twice in losing his serve in the pivotal ninth game.

The Frenchman's game was even more impressive in the second set. He threatened to break Henman in the first and third games before converting for 3-2 after Henman double-faulted to 0-40. Henman could not convert either of two break points in the sixth game and lost his serve a second time for 2-5.

* Bob Brett, whose clients have included Boris Becker and Goran Ivanisevic, is turning his training techniques to coaches. Tests will be held in February at the Bob Brett Elite Team academy in Montreuil, France, and 24 successful candidates will be offered a five-month course, costing £3,600. British coaches are welcome to apply.