Rusty Henman loses Indian Wells opener to Czech Hernych

INDIAN WELLS, California, Mar 11 (Reuters) A rusty Tim Henman wasted a 4-2 lead in the final set to lose 7-5 3-6 7-5 to Czech Jan Hernych in the Pacific Life Open first round here.

The former British number one was broken seven times in searing heat by Hernych, who next meets Argentine 28th seed Agustin Calleri.

''My serving was that erratic that, when I missed first serves, he was able to get more and more into games, more and more into baseline rallies,'' Henman told reporters after a tight encounter lasting just under two and a half hours.

''It's a reflection of my lack of match play. I've got to be a little more patient and keep working hard.'' Henman, beaten in his second round-robin match at last week's Las Vegas Open in his comeback tournament after four months out, gave Hernych match point by double-faulting in the 12th game of the final set.

The world number 44 then pushed a forehand volley wide after advancing to the net.

Henman, whose start to the year was delayed by injury and illness, had served for the match at 5-4 before again being broken as temperatures climbed to 93 degrees Fahrenheit.

TAKING POSITIVES ''I'm trying to take the positives out of it,'' the 32-year-old Englishman said. ''Physically I felt great on court, no pain or soreness in my knee and my back's good.

''It's important I stay patient because it has been four months with no match play and it does take me a while to get back into the rhythm of things.'' Henman, who reached a career-high ranking of fourth in 2002, missed the Australian Open in January because of a knee injury.

Illness then kept him out of the ATP event in Rotterdam last month before a last-minute decision earned him a wildcard for Las Vegas, where he was struck down by another virus on his arrival.

''Things like that happen from time to time and I've missed so little tennis in my career,'' Henman said. ''It's not ideal but not the be-all and end-all either.

''I'll keep doing the right things on the practice court and hopefully it will come on the match court. I'm just taking it step by step, tournament by tournament.'' REUTERS SAM KP1220