Henman advances to AAPT finals

ADELAIDE, Australia (Reuters) -- Top seed Tim Henman said his serve-and-volley game was coming together well after his victory over Alberto Martin in the semifinals of the Australian men's hardcourt championship on Saturday.

"It was a difficult match but first week of the year, it's certainly a good one to come through," Henman said after he beat the Spaniard 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.

"It's not the time to get carried away but I do feel like my game has improved," the Briton added ahead of the Australian Open which starts in Melbourne on January 14.

"I'm certainly serving a lot more consistently and with my style of game that's important because I want to get to the net as much as possible.

"When I'm at the net I'm volleying well, I'm moving well, so hopefully I'm making life difficult for my opponents."

Henman, 27, said he would have to focus on keeping the ball in play in Sunday's final against big-serving Australian Mark Philippoussis, who beat Morocco's fourth seed Hicham Arazi 6-4 6-1 in the second semifinal.

"I'll be trying to get as many balls back as possible on his serve, as well as trying to get my own serve working," Henman said.

"That's important because you know you won't have many opportunities on his serve."

Philippoussis, 25, a U.S. Open finalist in 1998, has shed 22 pounds and is making a comeback after knee surgery.

"I'm extremely pleased," Philippoussis said.

"There is no better way to start the year than with a win. My confidence would be sky high heading into the Australian Open.

"I've been out for six or seven months. I'm not going to sit back after getting to a Sunday and not worry about it, obviously I want to win it and I'm sure it's the same for Tim."

Philippoussis, who is playing doubles with Henman in the tournament, said the Briton had an excellent all-round game.

"He's a tough player, obviously. He can do it all," the Australian said.

"He loves playing from the baseline and the net, he can do anything, he can come in whenever he likes."

Related information
Stories
Henman downs compatriot Rusedski in Adelaide
Stats
AAPT Championships results
Multimedia
Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video
Search our site	Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day
	Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call your cable operator or DirecTV.

Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.