Henman avoids early trouble

TENNIS Wimbledon draw: The good news for Britain's Tim Henman, having lost the chance of being seeded in the top four at Wimbledon after early defeat at the Stella Artois championships, was he avoided the champion, Roger Federer, and the number two seed, Andy Roddick, in his quarter when the draw was made at the All England club yesterday.

The draw has been kind to Henman, whose first-round opponent - the little-known Spaniard Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo - has limited grass-court experience and is ranked 101 in the current ATP Champions Race.

Roddick, who retained the Stella Artois title last Sunday, will have an easier passage to the potential semi-final showdown against Henman - seeded fifth - with Rainer Schuettler proving his closest rival.

Wildcard entry Greg Rusedski could meet Roddick in the quarter-finals but would have to overcome Schuettler in the second round.

Many eyes will be on Rusedski's fellow Briton Alex Bogdanovic after he was drawn against defending champion and world number one Federer in his Wimbledon opener, a player 306 places higher in the rankings.

If play runs according to seeding, Federer - holder of the Australian Open title - would have to face Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan in the fourth round and Lleyton Hewitt in the quarters.

Spain's Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the tournament on medical advice, organisers said yesterday. The 18-year-old, who has been recovering from a broken foot-bone, was advised by his doctor not to play in the grasscourt grand slam, which starts on Monday.

Frenchman Nicolas Escude, who has shoulder problem, also pulled out yesterday.

Argentina's French Open champion Gaston Gaudio (foot) and Brazilian clay specialist Gustavo Kuerten (hip) withdrew last week.

In the women's draw the William sisters Serena and Venus were kept apart in different halves of the draw.

Serena looks on course to meet fellow American and number seven seed Jennifer Capriati in the quarter-finals, before potentially facing Amelie Mauresmo of France in the semis.

Lindsay Davenport - the 1999 winner and number five seed - should await Venus in the quarter-finals but the biggest hurdle blocking a rematch against her sister will be the likely last-four showdown with Russian number two seed Anastasia Myskina.