Paris, Nov 05: Britain's Tim Henman put a gloss finish on his disappointing year when he defeated gutsy Omanian outsider Andrei Pavel 6-2 7-6 (8/6) 7-6 (7/2) in the final of the 2.45-million-euro Paris Masters and then described it as his greatest moment in the sport.
It was 29-year-old Henman's second title of 2003 following his victory in Washington, the 11th of his career and his first Masters and it came at the end of a week in which he had stylishly defeated world number one Andy Roddick, Wimbledon champion Roger Federer and triple French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten.
He also beat Sebastien Grosjean to exact revenge for the defeats he suffered at the hands of the Frenchman at Wimbledon and Queen's.
"I have reached Wimbledon semi-finals but those tournaments have always ended in a loss. This one has finished with a win so, right now, this is my greatest achievement," said Henman who becomes the second British winner here after Greg Rusedski's victory over Pete Sampras in 1998.
"I never thought that I could win this event. I've never played well in Paris and I could count on one hand the matches I have won.



"But I couldn't be happier to win here - Paris is one of the most prestigious Masters events."



Henman, who has played here every year since 1996, had never reached the quarter-finals before this week and this was the 64th Masters event of his career.


Bureau Report