Henman Humbled by Wildcard Murray at ATP Basel

"It's frustrating and disappointing," said the No. 6-seeded Henman, who staged a comeback with Murray serving for the match at 5-4 in the second. "Today I don't think I dealt with it as well as I have done. I think Andy was the one who handled it better."

Henman has failed to advance past the quarterfinals at an event this year.

Murray showed signs of nerves with some poor serving and a misplayed dropshot with the match on his racquet at 5-4 in the second, but regrouped impressively in the third set, capped off by the decisive tiebreak.

"To win against someone like that, who I have so much respect for, who inspired me -- if it weren't for him I might not even be playing," said Murray, whose voice cracked with emotion after the match. "It's definitely the biggest win of my career so far, to win against Tim who's been one of the best, most consistent players of the last decade."

The four other seeds in action advanced in straight sets in (1) Guillermo Coria (d. A.Martin), (2) David Nalbandian (d. Karlovic), (5) Dominik Hrbaty (d. Chela), and (7) Jiri Novak (d. (WC) Lammer in two tiebreaks).

"I always play good here, I like to play here," said Nalbandian after beating Karlovic for the second time this month. "I will try to do my best. I'm fighting for a place in the Masters Cup in Shanghai so I have to do play well. I'm not very far away but also far at the same time. I know that a win here would improve my chances so I will go for it."

Unseeded players advancing were Argentines Agustin Calleri (d. Sabau, bagel in the first) and Jose Acasuso (d. Massu from a set down), and Czech Tomas Berdych (d. (WC) Bastl from a set down).

On tap for Thursday are (1) Coria vs. Vliegen, Acasuso vs. (3) Ferrero, (8) Haas vs. Baghdatis, Mayer vs. (2) Nalbandian, Berdych vs. (WC) Murray, Calleri vs. (5) Hrbaty, (4) Gonzalez vs. Berrer, and (7) Novak vs. Srichaphan.