Tim Henman last night admitted Greg Rusedski had made life difficult for him after disposing of his compatriot in an absorbing all-British second-round contest at the Hamburg Masters Series.
The fifth seed and British number one overcame rain, wind and a Rusedski fightback to set up a third-round meeting with Argentinian Juan Ignacio Chela after winning yesterday's intriguing encounter in straight sets 7-6 (7-3) 6-4.
The match was Henman's second tour victory over his rival this year, taking his total to seven successes in nine meetings between the pair.
But even though Rusedski has not beaten Henman since 1998, the 30-year-old from Oxford conceded he was tested by his former Davis Cup team-mate on the clay-court surface.
"Greg made it tough for me and I had to really raise my game," said Henman.
"We both have good slices but in these conditions the ball was hardly getting up. I had to play good tennis to win."
After a rain-delayed start, Rusedski was first to break serve and claim a 4-3 first-set lead, flashing a delightful backhand volley across the court, before Henman failed to make contact with a deep forehand return.
However, Rusedski failed to capitalise as Henman hit back, saving a set point on his opponent's serve with a glorious backhand pass which helped him to break back at 5-5.
Henman wrapped up the first set, winning the tie-break with a string of excellent cross-court forehands.
It looked all over as Henman stormed into a 4-0 lead in the second set. Rusedski scrambled it back to 4-3, but Henman served out to win.
While Henman was complimentary about the performance of the British number two, he criticised the tournament's organisation after the match, already delayed by 10 minutes, was temporarily stopped twice for further downpours.
The match was played outdoors on court number one while other second round matches took place on the covered centre court at the Rothenbaum club.
"It was really difficult," added Henman.
"It was chucking it down, it's the pinnacle of our tour and it's not acceptable. There's been so much rain.
"Given the conditions I thought the standard of play was really high."
Henman also played down the significance of the result against his long-term foe, preferring to look ahead to the the tie with Chela.
* Serena Williams was last night beaten in her first comeback match after suffering an ankle injury.
The third-seed lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-1, to Francesca Schiavone of Italy in the second round of the Italia Masters in Rome. Also beaten was No. 4 Elena Dementieva, who fell to Gisela Dulko of Argentina, 7-5 6-4.
