Escudé too sharp for lethargic Henman

It ain't half hot, mum. But Tim Henman's mother, Jane, knows that, and so does his father, Tony. They sat through another day of 100-plus temperatures on court at the Nasdaq- 100 Open here yesterday as their son wilted in his opening match, losing to Nicolas Escudé of France 6-3, 6-4.

The heat and humidity were the same for both players – South Florida has never known a March like it, and shirts and shorts become sweat-sodden almost as soon as matches get under way. What separated the players was the Frenchman's sharpness in contrast to the British No 1's lack of it.

It was the fifth match of Henman's comeback after surgery to his right shoulder, and his fourth defeat. A win against Jan-Michael Gambill in Indian Wells, where the American arrived fresh (or perhaps jaded) from a tournament victory in Scottsdale, is the highlight of Henman's year so far. His only course, as he emphasises after every setback, is to remain patient and be grateful his shoulder is no longer giving him jip.

His display on the concrete here was not one to raise expectations. Henman's errors on his serves and volleys were ominous, and numerous times when he ventured forward his game was impaled on Escudé's passing shots, particularly the backhand.

Broken for 4-2 down in the opening set by an Escudé backhand drive, Henman managed to hold for 5-3 in spite of two double-faults. The Frenchman then served out confidently, as Henman netted a backhand return on the second set point.

Henman was passed by a cross-court forehand to be broken in the opening game of the second set, but fought his way back, worrying Escudé enough for the Frenchman's serve to tighten somewhat. A double-fault brought Henman level at 3-3, but Escudé broke decisively for 4-3.

The Frenchman had to save a break point in the next game, after being lobbed by Henman, and double-faulted on his first match point at 5-4, 40-15. But Henman hit a forehand volley over the baseline on the second.

After praising the Frenchman's performance, Henman admitted to being "disappointed and frustrated" about his own display.

"I wouldn't say I'm doing anything particularly well, if I'm brutally honest," he said. "Lack of confidence affects your decision-making, your shot-selection, your movement. You've got to get stuck in and work your way through it."

Escudé now plays the American Mardy Fish, who caused an upset by eliminating the frenchman's compatriot, Sebastien Grosjean, the 11th seed, 6-4, 7-6. Who said this was not a day for a Fish out of water?

In the women's singles, Daniela Hantuchova, the Slovakian fifth seed, was drained by Alicia Molik, with the Australian winning 2-6, 7-5, 6-0.

Venus Williams, who is due to play her opening match today, held a press conference to discuss an auction she is organising in partnership with her younger sister, Serena, to support a charity that provides scholarships for traditionally African-American universities and colleges. The Williams sisters will auction their tennis rackets, dresses and a private tennis lesson from Serena.

The project is supported by Wrigleys Doublemint Gum, a Williams sisters' sponsor. Your correspondent took the opportunity to ask Venus her opinion of Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager who is British sport's most famous chewer of gum, and his habit of absentmindedly spitting out the gum at the end of matches. Venus smiled and said: "I guess if someone steps on it then twists their ankle, that deserves at least a warning."