THE word in the international locker rooms last year, after Greg Rusedski had lost the final of the British National tennis championships, was: And who the hell is this guy Henman who beat the crap out of you? "I took a lot of ribbing," Rusedeski admitted yesterday.

He had just beaten Lincolnshire's James Fox 7-6, 6-4 in this year's championship at Telford. A little later Tim Henman won his second match of the tournament for a place in tomorrow's quarter-finals.

The nature of the draw has initially put Henman one round ahead of Rusedski, who plays again yet since last year's final, it seems that Henman has always had the jump on the Canadian-born British number two.

Rusedski was only 19 when he made the world's top 100. "The first year you come onto the Tour things are a lot easier. The next time around they know your strengths and weaknesses."

Rusedski's implication, although he remains much too polite and media aware to say so unequivocally, is that Henman may find, things progressively rougher and tougher next year.

The ATP season is as good as over, save for the top eight jamboree is Hanover next week, and there's no question that both Rusedski and Henman find Telford a terrible let down.

Both are obviously struggling to keep their concentration against opponents who have absolutely nothing to lose and can consequently chase their shots with impunity.

Henman was also taken to a tie-break yesterday before beating Cheshire's Nick Baglin 7-6, 6-0. "Business is business," said Henman laconically, "but there are times when you lack concentration."