TIM Henman just loves life in the fast lane - and where the US Open is concerned, it's the quicker the better.

The British No 2, from Oxfordshire, raced into the second round of the US Open on the super-fast courts of Flushing Meadow with an emphatic 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 victory over Australian Scott Draper yesterday.

Then he insisted his love of pace could help him to overcome the next hurdle tomorrow against slow-surface specialist Felix Mantilla.

"Attacking guys have a little bit of an advantage here," said Henman. "I definitely hope that is the case with me.

"I think it is pretty clear the way he will play and clear the way I will play.

"My attacking game will have to be better than his defensive game. He is going to make me play a lot of balls - but I feel confident going into the match. The courts are faster than last year and that suits me."

Mantilla is the king of clay - a confirmed baseliner who is prepared to play all day and all night to win a single point.

If Henman can get past the man from Barcelona, there is every chance he can slice deep into the draw. He has certainly been fortunate to land in the easiest section, and the shock defeat of fourth seed Petr Korda by Bernd Karbacher yesterday has done his chances no harm.

Heavy rains washed out the night session, forcing the postponement of matches involving world number ones Martina Hingis and Pete Sampras.

Greg Rusedski, who could lose his British No 1 ranking to Henman if he doesn't reach at least the semi-final, was due to play his second-round match against Bohdan Ulihrach of the Czech Republic this afternoon.

Rusedski and Henman will be joined by Chris Wilkinson, Miles Maclagan and Neil Broad when Britain meet India in the World Group qualifying round of the Davis Cup at the City of Nottingham Tennis Centre from September 25-27.

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