TENNIS/French Open: Any success Tim Henman has on clay, and he won a potentially awkward opening match against the Spaniard Galo Blanco in straight sets yesterday, has always to be viewed in the context of both pressure and expectation.

He has set about improving his play on the surface over the last four years, and he has progressed considerably, with exemplary zeal. However, his expectations here are perforce modest, and the pressure slight.

The ultimate goal is the Wimbledon title. In just over three weeks the pressure will be intense and the expectations huge.

Henman, three times a Wimbledon semi-finalist, will use whatever victories he gains here to help convince himself he is getting mentally stronger year by year.

It was another drizzly day at Roland Garros, causing further postponements and making it tough for players and spectators alike.

Henman's match was interrupted for over an hour and he was mightily pleased to get it finished, for this was the sort of day when players can easily get injured.

"I've had an umbrella on court when it's hot, to get in the shade, but not to shelter from the rain," smiled Henman.

Initially, the Spaniard, who wiped the clay against Henman in Monte Carlo four years ago, was dominant, his top-spin backhand being particularly destructive.

He sped into a 4-1 lead and but for a net-cord might have extended this advantage. Instead Henman broke Blanco's serve, which inspired a run of six successive games.

"There was a lot of luck involved on that particular point," admitted Henman, but thereafter he played with ever increasing composure, save for the odd moment in the third set when Blanco went for broke, to win 6-4, 6-3, 7-6.

Roger Federer, the number eight seed and a quarter-finalist last year continues to confound his friends and admirers. Just nine days after winning the German Open, he went out in straight sets against Morocco's Hicham Arazi.

The Swiss, still only 20, began the match in all-black, returning after a rain delay in all white. His play was downright checkered.

Not that anybody would have wished to draw Arazi in the first round. He is supremely gifted and capable of beating anybody when he is in the mood.

On this occasion, and after a run of terrible performances, the forehand and backhand were rapier sharp. More importantly, his concentration was absolute. Federer simply collapsed under the withering attack.

Perhaps Federer will make amends at Wimbledon. Last year he beat Pete Sampras before losing in the quarter-finals against Henman. Many believe he could win the title this time. But not if he plays like yesterday.

Poor Justine Henin, the runner-up at Wimbledon last year and the number five seed here, was suffering from a sinus infection and clearly struggling to breathe.

She took the first set against Hungary's Aniko Kapros, a qualifier ranked number 179, but lost 4-6, 6-1, 6-0.

Kapros' victory smile was the nearest thing to sunshine all day.

Henin reached the last four in the French Open last year, losing to her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters in the semi-finals.

Her form prior to this week had been excellent, including a thrilling victory over Serena Williams in the German Open final.

But yesterday she was a pale shadow of her usual self against an 18-year-old playing only her second match at this level.

Kapros was obdurate rather than inspired; Henin was plain ill.

No less than 22 games in the women's draw, including those involving Serena Williams, Anna Kournikova and Jelena Dokic, were all cancelled and rescheduled for today.