Tim Henman put in a near-perfect performance last night against clay court specialist Mariano Puerta, beating the Argentine 6-1, 6-2 in the ATP Masters Series event in Cincinnati to set up a clash against Pete Sampras.

The reigning Wimbledon champion came through a rain-interrupted game to beat fellow American Taylor Dent 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3).

It's all in his favour, but I have nothing to lose, said Oxfordshire's Henman, a 1999 quarter-finalist here, who made up for a first-round exit a week ago in Toronto.