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Henman to play Federer in Japan Henman to play Federer in Japan
(10 minutes later)
Tim Henman will play Roger Federer in the final of the Japan Open after a 6-4 7-6 (7/5) win over South Korea's ninth see Hyung-Taik Lee in Tokyo. Tim Henman will play Roger Federer in the final of the Japan Open after a 6-4 7-6 (7/5) win over South Korea's ninth seed Hyung-Taik Lee in Tokyo.
The British number two has lost his last five matches against the world number one, who eased into the final past German Benjamin Becker.The British number two has lost his last five matches against the world number one, who eased into the final past German Benjamin Becker.
Federer, 25, needed just an hour to beat the German 14th seed 6-3 6-3. Federer, 25, needed just an hour to beat the 14th seed 6-3 6-3.
Brothers Andy and Jamie Murray lost 7-6 6-1 in the doubles quarter-finals to USA duo Paul Goldstein and Jim Thomas.Brothers Andy and Jamie Murray lost 7-6 6-1 in the doubles quarter-finals to USA duo Paul Goldstein and Jim Thomas.
Roger is a good friend but I think I would have fancied mychances a bit more against Becker Tim HenmanRoger is a good friend but I think I would have fancied mychances a bit more against Becker Tim Henman
The 32-year-old Henman was helped by a controversial over-rule from the umpire while facing break point at 4-4 in the opening set against Lee.The 32-year-old Henman was helped by a controversial over-rule from the umpire while facing break point at 4-4 in the opening set against Lee.
The second set went with serve but Henman edged the tiebreak 7-5 to reach his first final since 2004 and set up a 13th career meeting with Federer.The second set went with serve but Henman edged the tiebreak 7-5 to reach his first final since 2004 and set up a 13th career meeting with Federer.
"Roger is a good friend but I think I would have fancied my chances a bit more against Becker," said Henman, who won his last title at the 2003 Paris Masters."Roger is a good friend but I think I would have fancied my chances a bit more against Becker," said Henman, who won his last title at the 2003 Paris Masters.
"The courts are very quick and suit my game. I think if I play my style I can have an impact. I have nothing to lose andlots to gain.""The courts are very quick and suit my game. I think if I play my style I can have an impact. I have nothing to lose andlots to gain."
Henman has a 6-6 record against the Swiss, but Federer's rise as the dominant player in the world has coincided with a stranglehold over Henman, which has included easy victories at both Wimbledon and the US Open this year.Henman has a 6-6 record against the Swiss, but Federer's rise as the dominant player in the world has coincided with a stranglehold over Henman, which has included easy victories at both Wimbledon and the US Open this year.
"Roger is trying to prove he's the best player that's ever played the game," said Henman. "To play him in the final will be very special.""Roger is trying to prove he's the best player that's ever played the game," said Henman. "To play him in the final will be very special."
It will be exciting to play Tim - he's a good friend ofmine Roger FedererIt will be exciting to play Tim - he's a good friend ofmine Roger Federer
In Tokyo, Federer converted his first chance to break in the second game of the match and never looked back.In Tokyo, Federer converted his first chance to break in the second game of the match and never looked back.
Becker got a break point in the fifth game of the first set when Federer mishit a backhand after the opponent charged the net, but failed to capitalise.Becker got a break point in the fifth game of the first set when Federer mishit a backhand after the opponent charged the net, but failed to capitalise.
And after breaking in the third game of the second set there was no stopping Federer, who has made the finals in 13 out of his 14 tournaments this season.And after breaking in the third game of the second set there was no stopping Federer, who has made the finals in 13 out of his 14 tournaments this season.
"It was pretty straightforward," said Federer after improving his win-loss record for the year to 76-5. "My dream was to be in the final. The last little bit is a bonus."It was pretty straightforward," said Federer after improving his win-loss record for the year to 76-5. "My dream was to be in the final. The last little bit is a bonus.
"It's a great opportunity to win my first tournament in Japan. It will be exciting to play Tim - he's a good friend of mine.""It's a great opportunity to win my first tournament in Japan. It will be exciting to play Tim - he's a good friend of mine."
British number one Andy Murray had been hoping to make up for his loss in the second round of the singles competition by maintaining his form in his promising partnership with Jamie.British number one Andy Murray had been hoping to make up for his loss in the second round of the singles competition by maintaining his form in his promising partnership with Jamie.
The pair reached the final of the Thailand Open last week.The pair reached the final of the Thailand Open last week.